Andover Bowls Club’s season is nearing its end, but there is still much to play for.

In the Salisbury and District men’s triples the team goes from strength to strength. Having recently beaten Amesbury 14-0, they followed up with a 14-0 win over Downton. The side is now firmly in runners-up spot above local rivals Salisbury, but it looks doubtful whether they will be able to catch leaders Alderbury. In the Herbie Turner KO Cup semi-final, Andover had to play Downton. With Downton one triple short and starting 9-0 down, the two remaining Andover home triples had mixed results.Tom Hazard, Bob Wood and John Ash forced a comfortable victory by 34-15, while Jim Catchpole, Peter Merritt and Richard Hunt laboured to a 9-24 defeat. Away from home John Allenby, Dave Canniford and Dennis Fowler were involved in a tight match, which saw Downton nicking the last three ends for a 12-18 win.

Chris Sutton, Ken Eaton and Ray Cozzi were caught up in the best contest of the day, and held on to win 13-11. Finally, Terry Carr, Robin Kingston and Jim Horne had a runaway one-sided victory by 32-5. Overall Andover beat Downton 109-73, and will now play either Salisbury or Alderbury in the final on September 11, and attempt to win the title for the first time.

l Andover recently had their annual Len West drawn triples tournament, held in glorious weather. Jill Ross, Joe Hodges and Roy Turner started well in the ten end final, moving into an 8-1 lead by halfway over Mike Corden, Irene Hunt and Richard Ross. The Ross triple made a good fight of it however, and although winning the five remaining ends, couldn’t stop their opponents marshalled by the experienced Turner, holding on 8-7.

Despite a superb home win on all rinks against third placed Oakley, Pete Merritt’s Basingstoke and District men’s fours need good results away to Alton Town and Laverstoke if they are to pull away from the relegation battle involving six teams.