PETERSFIELD Bowls and Snooker Club took part in a thrilling Hunter Cup final on Saturday at Frensham Bowls Club, who organised the competition.

Their opponents were Seal and Sands from Surrey and the match was in the form of two rinks per side each, and the match was played over 21 ends.

The first rink of Petersfield – Shirley Paton, Alan Twiddy, Steve Dearlove and Malcolm Paton – took a very early lead and raced some ten shots ahead but Seal and Sands fought back and were level after half the game. It was then very close all the way to the end, and, although Petersfield led with two ends to go Seal came back again to draw 18-18.

This meant the result of the match all depended on the second Petersfield rink consisting of Richard Purchase, Margret Hutchinson, Robert Hutchinson and David Spandley, who, despite losing six shots at one end, managed to keep the game very tight with the lead changing hands on many occasions. It came down to the last bowl of the last end, with Petersfield holding a two shot lead and Seal and Sands needing three to win or two to draw and force an extra end. Seal and Sands could only gain one shot, and so Petersfield were able to hold on and win the Hunter Cup by a single shot.

Captain Margaret Hutchinson was thrilled with the result and pleased the season had achieved at least one success. A double could be achieved as Petersfield are also in the Holbrook Cup final, as well as retaining their Division 1 position in the Three Counties League.