Kent reach last four

Bowls

Kent are through to the national semi-finals of the Middleton Cup with a 124-101 quarter-final victory over Surrey at Worthing Pavilion on Saturday.

They take on Lancashire, with the winners facing either Devon or Bedfordshire, both matches being played at Leamington Spa on Saturday, August 6.

The men won four and lost two of the six rinks,

Kent will aim for a double success with the ladies’ John’s Trophy team in action the same day.

Team manager Mick Collins said: “It was a great team performance. It was a typical slow start, trailing after the first few ends, before we started to find our form and led by 10 at halfway.

“We then increased the advantage to around 25 shots which gave us a comfort zone and Surrey never really looked like coming back from that.”

Ashford Rail skip Ian Larkin, Keith Smith and Clive Allen lost 30-10 against Bellingham in the quarter-finals of the County Triples.

In club matches, Rail won 95-71 in a five-rink mixed triples at Sellindge on Saturday.

Trudy Paine, Dennis Gibbs and skip Chris Knapp were (34-5) the highest winning rink.

Rail were 119-69 winners Faversham on Sunday.

Paul Varley, Clive Allen and skip Jenny Farmer claimed the rink honours 24-7.

Roy Hook and Malcolm Nelmes reached the final of Tenterden’s Two-Wood Trophy on Sunday. at

Jill Dedrick will contest the Plate Trophy against John James. Both finals taking place during club weekend – Saturday and Sunday, September 10 and 11.

Hamstreet picked up nine points after an 82-42 Mermaid League win at home to Peasmarsh. Alan Laidler skipped the winning rink, which included Robin Collick and Paul Brabon.

Ashford Town beat Palm Cottage 96-55 in a match to celebrate the Gillingham club’s centenary year.

Skip John Sadler Rob Howes and John Oliver were the highest winning rink.

Town ladies lost at home to Folkestone Park in the Shepway League, while the men went down 103-81 at home to Whitstable in the Forest of Blean League.

Plate finalists John James and Jill Dedrick