Cheam’s bowling season started promisingly with wins in friendly matches against Dorking, Malden Manor, Southey and Wallington.

However, its “B” rinks went out of the National Double Fours competition at the weekend to a strong Shirley Park team.

Mike Haigh’s rink came back from being 11-2 down at the 6th end to draw level at the 17th, but Shirley Park stepped up a gear to take the remaining ends.

Meantime, David Miller’s rink held the game tight until the 14th end, there being never more than 3 shots separating the teams.

Dropping a three and a five in the next two ends, however, gave his opponents a comfortable cushion to take to the close.

The mixed match with Wallington which Cheam won comfortably had proved so popular with both clubs that the number of rinks was increased to six – a good advert for participation sport.

National Double Fours Cheam 25 Shirley Park 48 Rink One: Cheam Derek Morris, Ron Willson, James Fitzgerald, Mike Haigh 14 Shirley Park: Norman Ross 27. Rink Two: Cheam: Richard Scrimshaw, Tony Soper, Chas Smith, David Miller 11 Shirley Park: Richard Turner 21

Friendly Matches Cheam 98 Dorking 67 Rink One: Cheam: Keith Atkins, Mike Wrankmore, Reg Nelson, John Parsons 26 Dorking: P Millson 21. Rink Two: Cheam: Alan Gover, Brian Russell, Mick Gray, Chas Smith 28 Dorking: P Standon 20. Rink Three: Cheam: Claude Barrett, Mike Taylor, Ted Bennett, Gary Stevens 16 Dorking: D Morley 18. Rink Four: Cheam: John Baker, Peter Pankhurst, Colin Popple, Ron Willson 28 Dorking: N Baker 8 Cheam 70 Malden Manor 48 Rink One: Cheam: Keith Atkins, Mike Wrankmore, Chas Smith 22 malden Manor: A Josolyne 13. Rink Two: Cheam: John Dawson, Ron Willson, John Parsons 15 Malden Manor: 13. Rink Three: Cheam: Claude Barrett. Ted Bennett, Mike Haigh 16 Malden Manor: B De Haviland 11. Rink Four: Cheam: David Constable, Colin Popple, Gary Stevens 17 Malden Manor: D Rygrave 11.

Cheam 82 Southey 70 Rink One: Cheam: Claude Barrett, Jack Hunnisett, Mick Gray, David Miller 22 Southey: DM Hennessey17. Rink Two: Cheam: Ken Bailey, John Hannon, Garry Fitzgerald, Simon Clarke 22 Southey: A Richardson 12. Rink Three: Cheam: Alan Gover, John Baker, Greg Barnett, Keith Atkins 25 Southey: J Brechin 11. Rink Four: Cheam: Ted Bennett: Peter Pankhurst, Richard Scrimshaw, Ron Willson 13 Southey: C Devaney 30 Cheam 149 Wallington 107 Rink One; Cheam; Glynis Atkins, Derek Morris, Mick Gray, Angela Sugden 23 Wallington: C Savage 20. Rink Two: Cheam: Sheila Chase, David Constable, Di McDonagh, Ron Willson 19 Wallington: M Woods 22. Rink Three: Cheam: Marina Cole, Jack Hunnisett, Keith Atkins, Nikki Gover 26 Wallington: J Boyce 16. Rink Four: Cheam: Gemma Barnett, Rosemary Hawkins, Richard Scrimshaw, Tony Soper 30 Wallington: M Coyle 15. Rink Five: Cheam: Alan Gover, Shirley Radford, Margaret Francis, Mike McDonagh 27 Wallington: V De Roy Parker 24. Rink Six: Cheam: Ken bailey, Barbara Hunnisett, Shirley Gibbs, Gary Stevens 25 Wallington: W Ayling 10.