The Suffolk ladies of the Donald Steward and Silver Jubilee Vase teams played their third matches of the season against North Essex in the National Championship competitions – and both teams continued their winning runs.

Playing at Sudbury Bowls Club, the ladies of the Donald Steward team were in front all the way. With an eight shot lead at the 15th end, the Suffolk ladies pulled away to lead by 23 shots after the 20th end, eventually winning by 141-111 shots and gaining 20 of the 22 points available.

Individual rink scores were as follows: M Thorpe/E Aldred/A Lyas v B King (20-19); S Hender/P Jennings/A Lilley v P Seaman (30-15); S Plummer/P Gooch/Y Harper v G Bush (20-19); L Nunn/C Aldous/J Pitcher v S Smith (22-23); J Squire/M Page/M Rayner v E Theabold (29-16); S Kemp/S Dorling/S Keeble v P Mizon (20-19).

The team, accompanied by president Maureen Firman and their captain Josephine Whatling, had previously played against Lincolnshire, winning by 137-135 shots and gaining 14-8 points, and Northants, winning by 166-97 shots and earning 22 points.

Suffolk are currently leading the southern section of the competition, having 56 points, Norfolk and North Cambs following with 41 and 40 points respectively.

Playing at Castle Hedingham the Silver Jubilee Vase team, with their captain Norma Brown, secured another win, scoring 151–115 shots and gaining 20 of the 22 points available.

Individual rink scores were as follows: F Wiseman/M Welburn/E Wright v A Huggins (22-20); S Wright/J Whiting/J Ronchetti v J Cleaver (34-20); J Mills/K James/E Roberts v B Jay (36-13); J Batley/A Craigie/V Pryke v J Bradford (20-12); C Warrington/L Alexander/J Whitlock v V Lawrence (14-32); R Clarke/S Rochard/K Caley v W Debenham (25-18). Reserves were M Cole and A Bailey.

Previous wins against Lincolnshire (153-123 shots, 20-2 points) and Northants (138-125 shots, 14-8 points) see Suffolk top the table but Hunts and Norfolk both have a game in hand.

On June 25, Suffolk ladies played away against Huntingdonshire. The Donald Steward team struggled to gain 18 points out of 22, whilst the Silver Jubilee Vase team came home with just one point.

At the halfway point of the Donald Steward match, all the Suffolk rinks were down except one. However, the 20th end saw Suffolk creep with the final score being 140-133.

Individual rink scores were as follows: S Kemp/S Dorling/S Keeble v A Ashmore (27-18); J Squire/M Page/M Rayner v J Verlander (30-19); M Thorpe/K Caley/A Lyas v M Faux (13-29); S Hender/P Jennings/A Lilley v W Corn (30-20); L Nunn/C Aldous/J Pitcher v A Day (20-28); S Plummer/P Gooch/Y Harper v A Rose (20-19).

The Silver Jubilee Vase team were disappointed to lose their game by 111 shots to 154. Individual rink scores were: J Mills/K James/E Roberts v S Minnett (19-24); J Badley/A Craigie/V Pryke v G Cousins (18-25); F Wiseman/M Welburn/E Wright v J Oymond (23-36); R Clarke/A Bailey/S Rochard v S Armstrong (14-29); S Wright/J Whiting/J Ronchetti v J Gammon (17-20); M Cole/L Alexander/J Whitlock v W Aubrey-Lees (20-20). The reserve was C Warrington.

Suffolk President Maureen Firman was honoured to present Yvonne Harper with her 200 badge. This is an exceptional achievement.