Harpenden Bowls Club's cup final hoodoo continued as they were beaten by Garston in the showpiece match of the County Top Team competition.

It was the second time Harpenden had reached the final and on both occasions it has been Garston who have beaten them.

Harpenden’s squad of squad of Tom Muir, Woodie Donoghue, Nick Muir, Colin Driscoll, Kevin Brazier, Tony Redford, John Williams, Noel Roberts, John Osborn and David Brooks lost by 1½ to 2 ½ . They won the pairs, drew the triples but lost the singles and the fours.

Earlier they had reached the final at Welwyn & District with a 14-shot victory over Hatfield in the semi- final.

Meanwhile, in the County League, Harpenden played Potters Bar and the rink of Donoghue, Jack Blissett, Brazier and Nick Muir won by 27 shots to 13. The second rink of Noel Roberts, John Millins John Osborn and David Brooks drew 17 shots each. Harpenden secured five points and Potters Bar one.

Harpenden’s ladies teams played Potters Bar and Shire Park in their County League. The B team of Lesley Tutt, Jean Dill, Beryl Birch and Lucy Ratcliffe, beat Shire Park by 30-9 shots but the A team, of Linda Brooks, Linda Newby, Val Thomson and Pauline Taylor, lost to Potters Bar.

The Centenary Cup match against Dunstable and Tring had to be curtailed as Tring were unable to field a team. Instead Dunstable and Harpenden played a triples game at both clubs, which Dunstable won by 153-127 shots. The top rink at home was Lesley Tutt, Doug Rodger and new-comer Brian Moores in his first game for the club.

Elsewhere, Kevin Brazier, Tony Redford and Tom Muir are through to the District Triples semi-final after a 21-12 win against Harperbury.

Meanwhile, Harpenden were beaten in friendly action against Baldock, losing by two shots. Their top rink was Barry Hills, Jenny White and Mike Haslam.