BOWLS: LODDON Vale friendly matches this season have got off to a reasonably good start with wins over Thameside Wanderers and last week against Ad Finem and West Berks.

In the Ad Finem match, Vale won by 156 shots to 112. The winning rinks were skipped by Norman Leverton (17-15), Alan Smith (32-6), Sheila Stone (23-15) and Tina Rogers (26-9). The losing rinks were Frank Fuller (21-12), John Hilton (23-9) and Alan Phillips (23-18).

Against West Berks the Vale won by 130-96. the winning rinks this time were June Harvie (28-7), Smith (25-11), Don Lee (26-11) and Phillips (20-19). The only losing rink was Sheila Girle (27-12) and Peter Grant managed to 19-19 draw.

The men's Wessex League campaign got off to a good start as they beatOxford City and County, but then went down against West Berks and two weeks ago against Westlecot.