Townsend progressed in the London and Southern Counties Shield at the expense of Marlow.

The visitors won by two rinks to nil and by 15 shots. The rink scores were Andy Bates, Carl Robinson, Alan Charran and skip Gary West (24-17) along with Bob Lawrie, Roger Potter, Peter Armstrong and skip Andrew Briden (27-19).

Briden was also in action in the county singles against junior international Bradley Coles. Coles started more effectively and soon built up an eight-shot lead but Briden, using his considerable experience, steadily reduced the deficit. Briden edged away and in the end record a comfortable 21-15 win for a place in the quarter-finals.

In the county unbadged singles, Dave Houghton progressed to the semi-finals with a comfortable 21-16 win over Potters Bar.

Although it was 14-14 at one stage, Houghton`s greater accuracy told in the end. Peter Thomson failed to book his place in the same match when in his quarter final he found himself 15-1 down after ten ends.

Thomson reduced the deficit but a final defeat of 21-18 was as close as he could get.