THE ladies at Wellington Bowling Club played three exciting matches this week as the end of the first half of the season approaches. The Friday Evening League teams had one to play before Christmas while the Thursday teams have one more next week.

Wrens were comfortable winners in their Thursday match against Doves while in the Friday League Elms managed a very close victory over Oaks and the Hazels won theirs against the Rowans.

In the Thursday afternoon match Diane Sutton, Liz May and Maggie Milton's Doves could not get off the ground early on and Diana Dagg, June Anderson and Marguerite Nichols' Wrens made the most of it and collected an 18 – 0 lead after eight ends.

Doves picked up eight shots in the final ends but it was too little too late and Wrens won the match comfortably 21 – 8.

The Friday Evening League match between Rowans and Hazels followed a similar pattern. Wendy Scott, June Anderson and skip Shirley Samuel's Hazels set off at a terrific pace to lead by 13 shots to 2 after seven ends. Jackie Finney, Margaret Milton and skip Marguerite Nichols' Rowans put up a good fight but the Hazels were too strong on the day and went on to win 15 – 5.

Jane Hayes, Angie Moore and skip Diana Dagg's Elms began well. They started the game with a 4 – 0 lead before their opponents could get going. However, Sue Channon, Pauline Wadham and skip Monica Carter's Oaks were not going to give up easily and they began a steady fightback. With one more end to play Oaks were just three shots behind. They won the end but only by one shot which wasn't quite enough and Elms managed a close but well deserved victory by 9 shots to 7.