IT was back down to earth for Chawton Park men when they met Loddon Vale in the Hampshire Bramley Bowl League.

The league leaders’ slight advantage evaporated over the last few ends into a 74-80 loss. The home rinks, skipped by Dave Atwell and Nathan Beeson, were in the balance throughout, both arriving at the last end all square. But Loddon had the final say, winning by one and four shots respectively.

At Loddon Vale, Mark Fyfield’s rink failed to get a foothold after a reasonable start and lost 10-27. However, the rink of Graham Robinson (skip), Robert Hutchinson, Ron Roberts and Gordon Summerhill won comfortably, 26-12, and Chawton’s single point keeps them top of the league.

In a busy week of national competition for Chawton bowlers, Charlie Spear travelled to Atherley and won 21-17, while Danny Brown beat his Atherley opponent 21-16. Adam White had a walkover in the singles. Dick Holden and Adam White just lost out, 15-16, in the pairs, Brian Barber securing Banister Park’s win with the last wood of the match.

Beryl Collier and Margaret Leppard lost 14-23 to Heather Statham’s Loddon duo in the ladies’ pairs. Chawton beat Riverside 23-11 in the mixed pairs. The men’s triple of Dave Fitchett, Terry Cull and Paul Webster lost to Atherley on the extra end. Lesley Johnson, Margaret Holden and Margaret Leppard defeated Janet Williamson’s Atherley triple 19-9.

Marc Gorman’s triple lost on the extra end at Riverside in the O50s men’s triples.

In the men’s national fours, Graham Robinson’s team won 20-11 at Chawton against Riverside, while Adam White’s side eventually overcame Brian Barber’s rink at Banister Park. Danny Brown received a walkover in the men’s U25s.