Harpenden were proud hosts of the St Albans & District Bowling Association men's finals for a second year in a row - and they enjoyed their own title success in the pairs.

That win went to John Osborn and Nick Muir who overcame Andy Bradford and James Avery of Welwyn Garden City.

WGC had built up an impressive lead but the home duo gradually chipped away at it to take the spoils.

That was one of nine finals held against a backdrop of mostly sunny and warm weather.

A club spokesman said: "Overall, it was a finals day of skilful and competitive performances appreciated by numerous spectators from all clubs.

"A highly enjoyable and entertaining advertisement for sport at local level.”

With only a couple of midweek matches remaining, Townsend welcomed four triples from Shire Park and kept their remarkable record of success intact by winning on three rinks and by 15 shots.

The top rink featured Brian Connelly, Robbie Ransted and Alan Charran.

Charran also featured in the district finals held at Harpenden.

He started a busy day by recording a most convincing victory, along with Rena Williamson, Jane Dixon and Peter Thomson, against a mixed four from Batchwood.

With the score at 32-1, Batchwood conceded to leave the defending champions worthy winners.

In the afternoon session, Charran and Thomson were joined by Bob Lawrie and Peter Armstrong, competing against a very experienced four from Welwyn Garden City.

At the half-way stage, the outcome was far from clear with the scores level, but subsequent ends saw the Townsend foursome pull away, eventually doubling their opponent’s score to win 24-12.

St Albans Bowling Club played Welwyn & District in the final of the Jones Cup over two rinks.

Chris Debenham, Andy Kay, John Harvey and Steve Wilson won 15-14 but the other rink St Albans lost by three, giving W&D the title by two shots.

The crucial moment was four shots dropped on one end towards the end of the losing rink.

St Albans men had played a friendly away to Hemel Hempstead across four rinks, losing 78-63.

One rink won and one drew, the winning Saints rink being Roy Andrews, Richard Hall and John Allen.