IT HAS been a very successful week for Gerrards Cross with silverware already being won at this early stage in the season.

Tom McGuinness and George Reid defeated competition from Waddesdon to win the county Under 25 pairs title and will now progress to the National Finals in Leamington.

The trio of David Ross, Kirk Smith and Neil Farnish have qualified for the county triples final.

In the Mid Bucks Cup - a mixed competition -

the Cross

were at home to a strong side from Aylesbury Town on a wet Friday.

Terry Webb won the two wood singles to give

Gerrards Cross

their first point and, with David Simpson on masterful form in the four wood singles, the second point was soon on the board.

The triples were pipped by Aylesbury, but the pair of Keith Young and Chris Harvey won their match 16-15 on the last end to secure the necessary winning third point.

The fours competed in a close game but again the Cross ran out winners for an overall 4-1 victory.

The weekend saw one of the closest and exciting bowls matches seen at the neutral venue of High Wycombe Bowls Club in the Over 55s county final. Gerrards Cross and Marlow had progressed to the final and the spectators witnessed an amazing game.

With a rejigged Cross team caused by injury to Simon Cobb 24 hours before the match, the Marlow four were probably favourites.

The lead changed hands many times throughout the game with Gerrards Cross holding a two-shot advantage going into the last end. A Marlow brace meant the game went into an extra end.

In an amazing conclusion worthy of the final, the lead continued to change hands a number of times before Andy Savin of Marlow gave them a two-shot lead with the jack surrounded.

Following considerable discussion, Cross skip Farnish played a running bowl to perfection to take both his own and the jack into the ditch.

Despite a valiant attempt from Marlow skip Dave White, the Gerrards Cross team held by a single shot to win the title and also qualify to represent Buckinghamshire at the National Finals in Leamington.

The success did not stop with the men either as Julie Skelly qualified for the two wood county finals, whilst Terri Keen and Charlene Turpie reached the pairs final.

Courtney Harvey qualified in the junior singles and was also picked to represent England ladies against Ireland at the weekend.