COURTAULD Halstead Bowls Club's A team had their first win of the season as they defeated Tiptree A in the North West Essex Bowls League.

Tony Garrett, Adrian Smart, Brian Chadwick won 24-18 for Halstead and Colin Tuxworth, Ray Dawson, John Ovel drew 15-15, but Pat Ashcroft, Gerry Cook, Clive Cracknell lost 17-14.

The overall reault was a 53-50 shots win that gave Halstead a much-needed 6 points.

Halstead's C team beat table-topping Witham C in a 6-2 win in division C.

Bob Cole, Roy Sycamore, Bob Brace lost 23-20, but David Cole, Terry Reynolds, Geoff Hughes won 16-9 and Stan Jones, Bernard Rust, Ernie Simmonds won 29-9 for an overall 65-41 victory.

In the men's county pairs, Halstead's Adrian Smart and John Ovel will face Russell Harmour and Steve Dunn of Silverend in the next round.

In the North West Essex Triples competition, Smart, Clive Cracknell and skip Ovel narrowly lost to Silver End.

The match was tied 18-18 going in to the last end, but a single shot against the home team ended the game.

There was better news for Halstead in the Ladies' Country Two-Wood Singles as Lucy Barnes battled her way through to the final eight in Essex after winning all her matches.

The first round game was closely fought and was a draw after 21 ends, but in the extra end, Barnes drew two perfect woods to the jack, winning the end and the match 14-12.

The second round match ended in a 17-6 win, while the third round brought a 16-11 win for Barnes as she knocked out the current title holder.

Barnes now progresses through to the semi-finals, which are in Great Baddow on June 18.