A lot of our south Bucks sides were in action this weekend and Gerrards Cross had a strong couple of days with some excellent wins in the Chiltern and Thames League tournament over Amersham and Loudwater.

As defending CTL champions, there is always that little more pressure and this was in evidence at Amersham on Friday evening. With the format of three triples, Gerrards Cross had won two by close margins with the third rink deciding if maximum points would be earned.

The score on the last end was 17-17 and in near darkness with just one bowl to play Amersham held shot. However an inspired bowl from Michael Gomme who drew the jack with the last bowl of the match for a 18-17 scoreline with all points going to Gerrards Cross was definitely shot of the day

Loudwater were the next opponents on a beautiful Sunday afternoon and with squad rotation in effect, there was the opportunity for other Gerrards Cross bowlers to show their class.

With some excellent skipping across all three rinks from Dave Simpson, Keith Patrick and Chris Harvey, Gerrards Cross again picked up maximum points.

Whilst the three CTL games were taking place, Gerrards Cross also entertained Loudwater in a friendly and ran out winners across all rinks to ensure a 100 per cent winning weekend for the club.

Gerrards Cross also had eight representatives playing for Buckinghamshire in the Home Counties League against Surrey on Saturday at Aylesbury. All played their part in Bucks defeating their near neighbours In a closely fought and passionate encounter.

With the next county match against Berkshire at Maltmans Lane on May 18 starting at 2pm it promises to be an excellent local derby.

Marlow kicked off their Bucks Cup campaign last week against Chalfont St Giles and despite a day of heavy showers the matches went ahead and the away rinks of Bob Broad and Dave White had varying fortunes. Broad’s trio took command of their game and completed a fine 22-12 victory but Dave White’s rink succumbed to a surprise defeat 16-22.

Back at Marlow both home rinks started well enough and were both looking to winning ways but Dave Turner, Nobby Anson and Roger Turpie fell behind in the closing stages and ultimately lost 18-22. This meant Peter Barltrop, Paul Simmons and Andy Savin had to push on to ensure an overall win and this they did as they secured a 19-11 triumph which gave Marlow an overall 75-67 win and 10 points from a maximum 14.

An away trip to Stoke Poges gave Marlow the opportunity to get back to a winning formula following the defeats from the previous week, and although they won on two of the three rinks, the match score went in favour of Stoke Poges by 2 shots 45-47.

Marlow’s top rink was Bob Perrin, Tanis Hudson and Alan Burden who won 18-14 but looked for a much bigger win with a 17-10 lead after 16 ends. Sue Burden, Geraldine Perrin and Trevor Day were in a very close game 5-5 after 7 ends and 11-11 going into the last end but clinched the game with two shots in the final end.

Chesham played away at Princes Risborough in the Jubilee Cup on Saturday, winning 78 to Princes Risborough's 67. Chesham had a top rink of Fay Holmes, Ray Morgan and skip June Holland and they won by 13 shots.

Sunday saw Chesham playing at home to Potten End on a beautiful sunny day. The green bowled very well and true. Chesham won 86-72. Chesham's top rink was Kitty Lofty, Terry Goulding and skip Trevor Bateman winning 26-14.