Rockwell Short Mat Bowling Club made the short trip to play a six-mat friendly against old friends Staplegrove on Thursday, March 19.

After the chats all around and captains sorting their sides things got underway with the Green’s Joy, Mick B and Bill finding Heather, Rose and Sue in fine form as they lost 11-3.

Mat two saw Cass, Dave and Bob put to the sword by Wendy, David & John who racked up 21 shots to Rockwell’s four, while last up before the break on mat three saw Graham, Reg and Mike R gain an early lead after four ends over Rita, Steve and Paul. However, the home trio then piled on the pressure, only giving the visitors one more end over the next six for a 12-6 success.

At 44-13 down, captain Bill tried to rally his side who stuck to the same line-ups, so Joy, Mick B and Bill came up against Wendy, Dave and Paul.

The Green fared better this time around being 9-2 up after eight ends. The home trio took the last two two ends but the visitors gained a 9-5 victory.

Cass, Dave and Bob still found mat two not to their liking when they played Rita, Rose and Sue, the home trio gaining a six on the first end; thus setting the tone for the game.

The visitors did score on five ends, but it was never enough to come back from having been 13-2 down after six ends as Staplegrove took a 15-9 win.

Last up, Graham, Reg and Mike R came from 6-3 down after five ends, securing the last five for a 12-6 victory. Mike R thanked Staplegrove for a very enjoyable evening among old friends, and although the Green recovered to win the second half 30-26, they were beaten 70-43 overall.