TWO more victories have put Chawton Park Indoor Bowling Club top of the men’s Bramley Bowl Hampshire League with one match to go. Success against relegated Victory will secure the league title.

The two wins could not have been more contrasting. The first, against main rivals Palmerston, was a nerve-jangling affair as Chawton’s 11-shot lead after 18 ends started to evaporate.

No shots were gained and Chawton lost twice over the last six ends at home.

The match was finally decided by Graham Robinson’s rink picking up a vital three shots on the last end to win 28-12, securing an overall 83-80 victory for Chawton.

The second match was against an under-strength Loddon Vale and the home rinks, led by Graham Robinson and Dave Atwell, dominated from the start to set up a 67-24 winning position for Chawton.

At Loddon, the away rinks were finding it more difficult. Adam White’s rink lost an 11-shot lead to trail at 17 ends and Mark Fyfield’s men were level at 16 ends.

But both rinks finished strongly to clinch a welcome 110-60 win and maximum points.

In the ladies’ Riversmeet League, Chawton Park met Riverside in a match that turned full circle. The early honours went to Riverside, but Chawton rallied in the second half to win by three shots, 72-69.

Singles ace Adam White and Graham Robinson’s O60s rink are one win away from reaching the national finals. White secured his area final place with victory over Loddon Vale’s Duncan Rogers, while Robinson’s rink were gifted a walk-over.

Robert Hutchinson, Gary Johnson and Graham Robinson lost 10-14 in a tight triples match against Atherley.

Chawton ladies contested two zone finals without success. In the triples, Lesley Johnson, Margaret Holden and Margaret Leppard lost 8-18 to Kath Patrick’s Victory trio.

The two Margarets were joined by Sue Murray and Beryl Collier for a fours match against a strong Penny Cresswell-led Dolphin quartet, the latter winning 18-5.

The Hampshire County competitions are in full swing and it was not Chawton’s finest week, with defeats in fours, triples and pairs. David Sims and Adam White maintained Chawton’s interest in the pairs, but the last singles hope, Nathan Beeson, lost narrowly, 18-21, to Russell Gadd of Palmerston.

However, Barry Smith, Dick Holden and Dave Turner eased through, 21-17, in the O60s two-wood triples against Barry Bendall’s Banister Park side.

And in the county mixed pairs, Lesley and Gary Johnson overcame Banister by a single shot. An all-Chawton match turned into a marathon as Sue Murray and David Sims won the extra end against Margaret Holden and Adam White.

There was no joy on the road as Brian Scowcroft and Margaret Leppard lost at Palmerston and Marc Gorman and Brenda Plumpton were sunk by Victory.