It proved to be a splendid night for the men of Halstead Courtauld Bowls Club in the North West Essex Bowls League as captain Terry Reynolds’ C team beat Braintee D at home by an impressive 70 shots to 35.

It was a great start to the season which Halstead’s A and B teams hope to replicate in their matches against Bocking Alliance and Jobserve Tiptree.

Courtaulds also played friendly matches away at Witham Mill Lane, with an overall win by 15 shots, and at Sudbury, where the team had a 37-3 win.

This result was mirrored at home against a team from Thaxted.

Meanwhile, Adrian Smart and Clive Cracknell have been selected to play in the Ashford Cup.