COURTAULDS Halstead's A team hosted Bocking Alliance B in North West Essex League division two and won a close-run contest 6-2.

Adrian Cobie, Tony Garrett and skip Clive Cracknell were leading from the start and although they were pegged back in the middle stages, they claimed six of the last nine ends in a 20-19 victory.

There was another close call for Patrick Ashcroft, Ray Dawson and skip Adrian Smart as they won 18-16, but losing three shots on the last four ends was costly in an 18-17 defeat for Eric Marson, Gerald Cook and skip John Ovel.

Elsewhere in division two, Halstead's C team entertained Tiptree A and lost 56-34 on shots over the three rinks.

Stan Jones, Bernard Rust and skip Terry Reynolds started tentatively, but were drawing 12-12 heading into the last end and manage to clinch a 13-12 victory.

It was Halstead's only success, though, as Denis Saville, Mick Mills and skip Bob Brace lost 17-13 and David Cole, Ron Guithrie and skip Geoff Hughes were beaten 27-8.

In division three action, Witham C came to face Halstead B and although the home side won on two rinks, they went down 55-53 on overall shots.

There was a slow start for Tony Wright, Ray Joslin and skip Bob Tuck but they pulled back level and finished strongly to win 20-17, while Tony Rivers, Mick Bristow and skip Roy Clemence took 12 of the 18 ends in a 23-19 success.

However, Terry Bocking, Derick Brooks and skip Tony Jones trailed throughout and lost 19-10.

Also in division three, Halstead D hosted Braintree D and, with wins on two rinks, they triumphed 52-42 on shots.

Skip Wes Barton guided his team of Bob Coles and Vincent Farrugia to a memorable 19-8 victory and there was a similar story for Malcolm Olley, Alan Lowe and skip Bob Branch as they carried a good start into a 22-10 victory.

David Martin, Jacob Jakab and skip Trevor Wignall started well, but losing eight ends in a row was costly in a 24-11 defeat.