Norfolk maintained their impressive start in the Middleton Cup with a 120-103 victory over Bedfordshire at Maulden Bowls Club, taking 17 of the 22 points at stake.

Norfolk maintained their impressive start in the Middleton Cup with a 120-103 victory over Bedfordshire at Maulden Bowls Club, taking 17 of the 22 points at stake.

Philip Barr celebrated his 100th Middleton Cup cap by skipping his rink of Steffan Adcock, Roger Guy and Peter Boldero to a convincing 25-12 victory. This was backed up by a 12-shot victory by Jamie Chestney's rink and also by a narrow victory by Darren Rowsell.

After beating Essex at the fast-running Norfolk Bowling Club, Norfolk had to adapt to a much slower green at Maulden. Bedfordshire started the stronger to take an early lead but the Norfolk bowlers soon found their feet and between the fifth and 10th ends they scored 42 shots to their opponents eight and this surge took them into a commanding lead.

Although Bedfordshire hit back over the second half of the match, Norfolk were always in command and ran out comfortable winners by 17 shots

With wins in the opening two games, Norfolk travel to the Parkway club at Peterborough on Saturday where they meet unbeaten Huntingdonshire.

Manager Brian Taylor was delighted with the win and the performance and had no hesitation in naming an unchanged team.

He said: 'Conditions were far different to last week and my team adapted well after a slow start.

'In the middle of the match I thought we were outstanding and the lead we built up in this period really decided the overall result.'

Rink scores: John Ottaway, Micky Brown, Bernie Perrett and Brian Taylor lost 17-20; Gary Mallett, Jake Willgress, Paul Shackcloth and Mervyn King drew 17-17; Max Harrison, George Tubby, Danny Page and Darren Rowsell won 20-17; John Tufts, Neil Moulton, Mark Riches and Trevor Webb lost 16-24, Sam King, Mark Turner, Wayne Willgress and Jamie Chestney won 25-13; Steffan Adcock, Roger Guy, Peter Boldero and Philip Barr won 25-12.

t In the National Inter-County Double Fours Championship, Norfolk beat Essex 38-17, winning on both rinks.

With Steffan Adcock and Mark Turner in sparkling form at the front, ably backed up by Mervyn King, Jamie Chestney's rink won 24-4. Philip Barr's rink had a much tighter game, winning 14-13.

The win qualifies Norfolk for the regional finals to be held at Newmarket Avenue Bowls Club on Sunday, June 27. With Darren Rowsell unavailable, Wayne Willgress has been called into the team

Details: Steffan Adcock, Mark Turner, Mervyn King and Jamie Chestney 24, Frank Abbott, Richard Bolton, Mark Christmas and Steve Pickford 4; John Ottaway, George Tubby, Darren Rowsell and Philip Barr 14, Peter Ayling, Steve Mitchinson, Andy Squire & John Tully 13.

t Norfolk's young bowlers have qualified for the regional finals of the National Under-25 Double Rinks at Bedford Borough Bowls Club on Sunday, June 20. Norfolk meet their conquerors of last season, Leicestershire. Manager David Betts has named an unchanged team.

Norfolk: John Tufts, Max Harrison, Jake Willgress, Richard Summers; Sam King, Mark Flatman, Adam Watts, Wayne Willgress. Reserves: Jack Adcock, Matt Flatman.