CHAWTON Park men made a disastrous start to their Denny Cup second-round match against Worthing Pavilion.

After five ends, only Graham Robinson’s rink held the advantage (by 1 shot) in an overall deficit of 17.

Chawton dug in over the next 10 ends. Robinson’s rink of Robert Hutchinson, Ron Roberts and David Sims stretched their lead to nine, while Adam White’s rink reduced a 10-shot deficit to just three.

Worthing’s overall lead was now down to three shots and an improbable Chawton win look possible, but they lost momentum and dropped five more shots over the last three ends, finally losing by eight.

The Chawton ladies were in action against a strong Dolphin IBC (Poole) team in a Yetton Trophy second-round fixture. Chawton put up a gallant fight against a club with twice the membership and held the initiative for two thirds of the match. The home rinks led by Margaret Leppard and Margaret Holden were out in front and the away rinks of Beryl Collier and Brenda Plumpton were keeping close order.

However, the more experienced Dolphin side stepped up the pressure and although the home rinks held on for two creditable wins, the match overall slipped away.

Chawton had mixed results in the national competitions. Visits to Banister Park resulted in Graham Robinson losing to Steve Whitehead in the singles and Charlie Spear and John Blair going down to the Bines brothers in the pairs, while Ron Roberts and David Sims lost at home to an Atherley duo.

Better fortune, though, for Margaret Holden and Adam White who reached the area finals of the Champion of Champions.

White recorded a fairly comfortable 21-11 home win over Mick Barrett from Atherley.

Holden travelled to Riverside and met Chris Doig in a marathon 27-end match. Doig came from behind to lead 18-15, but Holden gained doubles on the next two ends.

At 19-19, both players had chances to win, but two singles gave Margaret Holden a place in the area final.

Rogate lost to Chawton in the annual friendly fixture.

Today (Thursday), Chawton Park are playing a 20th anniversary celebration match against the English Indoor Bowling Association.