BOWLING: A unique bowls match was held between the English Bowling Association and Chester Road Bowling Club as both groups celebrate their 100-year anniversaries.

The EBA's team comprised 24 bowlers, mostly former presidents of the association or of their counties.

Despite the wet conditions, Chester Road battled to reach the half-way stage with a lead of 66-42 after 10 ends.

Playing on rink one for the hosts, Percy Salmon won with a margin of 10 shots.

John Tolley, EBA junior vice-president, made the Chester Road rink, skipped by Graham Yarrington, suffer in the latter stages, winning 24-14 for the national side.

However, Chester Road gained a memorable win of 22 shots after 21 ends with a final aggregate score of 131 to the EBA's 109 over six rinks.

John Jones, president of Chester Road, considered it an honour to have the EBA centenary team visit Kidderminster.

Jones spoke of the 100 years of continuous bowling for his own club.

Arthur Hockley, EBA president, congratulated groundsman Les Bannister for presenting the Chester Road green in such superb condition.

Hockley said it was much better than the normal standard in the country.

He presented Chester Road's highest winning rink, comprising Salmon, Bob Gameson, Ted Scott and Arthur Fox, with a special centennial EBA spoon.

Chester Road plan a bowling tour, based at Carlisle, starting on Saturday.