WANSTEAD Central's trio of Bob Druce, Ron Hudson and Paul Whellams made club history on Saturday by reaching the final of the County Triples Competition.

The threesome prevailed after a pulsating contest against the team from Romford, eventually winning 20-14.

The local team will face Harlow in the final at Essex County Bowls Club. The result means the team have booked themselves a place in the EBA National Finals to be held in Worthing next month.

Wanstead's bowlers were knocked out of the London Parks Jackson Shield after drawing their final group match 56-56 with Ilford.

However, the club made amends by winning their Alpha Group Triples League fixture against Valentine's Park by 57 shots to 37, winning two rinks and losing the third.

Central, the current holders of the Group Five Unbadged Double Fours title for the last two years, were narrowly beaten by local rivals Wanstead, while the team were also knocked out of the Jubilee Cup as they lost 40-27 to Woodford.

Elsewhere, Bantham & Ongar's ladies quartet of Hazel Issitt, Jean Miller, Joan Barnes and Doreen Oddy failed top progress to the semi-finals of the County Fours at Falcon as they went down to Liberty 23-12.

In the Chelmsford & District Marconi knock-out cup the team had a fine win on all rinks against Billericay B, emerging 80-33 victors.

The men had a fine victory away to Harold Hill in the Brentwood & District League, with 73 shots to 40, while the club won three rinks out of four at home to Rosedale in the Harlow & District Senior Citizens League, gaining a valuable eight points.

They were also defeated by a strong Havers Park side in the Essex & Herts League, where they lost on all rinks.

Finally, Wadham's ladies team of Pam Williams, Claire Power, Joyce Smith and Anne Bull enjoyed a fine 22-17 win against Metropolitan Police in the Forest District League.

The men endured their worst week of the season, losing 53-55 to Silverthorn in the Simon Shield and 65-81 to Wanstead Central in the Foresters League, while the two Thursday Fours sides went down 8-28 to Walthamstow Borough and 12-22 against Buckhurst Hill.