Despite suffering their first Eastern Counties League defeat of the season - to Essex at Thorpe-Le- Soken - Norfolk still top the table. With several players looking for force their way into Middleton Cup contention the match, played in difficult conditions, was keenly contested.

Despite suffering their first Eastern Counties League defeat of the season - to Essex at Thorpe-Le- Soken - Norfolk still top the table.

With several players looking for force their way into Middleton Cup contention the match, played in difficult conditions, was keenly contested. Though starting slowly and falling behind Norfolk rallied in the middle of the match to be level across the board at 15 ends. But Essex then surged ahead in the closing stages to secure victory by 121 shots to 105 to take 16 of the 22 points.

Both counties won on three rinks with the Norfolk wins being secured by the rinks skipped by Peter Boldero, Trevor Webb and the Executive rink skipped by Brian Howes

Rink scores: Adam Watts, John Hunter, Roger Guy, Bernie Perrett 13-28; John Colcombe, Simon Elliott, Andy Siely, Darren Rowsell 11-24; Max Harrison, Rob Parker, Paul Webb, Tony Dunton 19-24; John Godsafe, Derek Talbot, George Hunter, Brian Howes 19-16; John Tufts, Michael Hunter, Chris Gaul, Trevor Webb 19-14; Mark Elliott, Neil Moulton, Kevin Guy, Peter Boldero 24-15.

Attention now switches to the Middleton Cup where, on Saturday, Norfolk entertain Essex at Norfolk Bowling Club (2pm).

After the disappointment of last season, Norfolk will be looking for a winning start against a county likely to be one of their main contenders for the group title.

Manager Brian Taylor said: "The first match of any season is really a must win game, although in the past we have managed to progress having lost it. Matches against Essex are always tough and competitive and I know we have a team capable of winning and then going on to win the group and qualify for the quarter-finals."

Norfolk team: Gary Mallett, John Tufts, Steffan Adcock, Danny Page, Neil Moulton, Michael Hunter, Paul Shackcloth, Mark Riches, Peter Boldero, Mervyn King, Trevor Webb, Philip Barr, Sam King, Max Harrison, John Ottaway, Mark Turner, George Tubby, Micky Brown, Wayne Willgress, Roger Guy, Bernie Perrett, Jamie Chestney, Darren Rowsell, Brian Taylor. Reserves: Adam Watts, Jake Willgress, Chris Gaul, Andy Siely.

� Norfolk's young bowlers have qualified for the regional play-offs of the National Inter-County under 25 Two Fours competition by beating Hertfordshire 52-33 at the Roebuck Club. Norfolk won on both rinks and will now be looking to add the national outdoor title to the indoor equivalent won in April.

In the match against Hertfordshire, John Tufts, Max Harrison, Jake Willgress and Richard Summers won 29-16 while Sam King, Mark Flatman, Adam Watts and Wayne Willgress won 23-17.

� The trials for the England Senior and Junior international teams were held last weekend at Beach House Park in Worthing with Norfolk being well represented in both.

The teams for the British Isle Bowls Council International Series have now been announced. In the Junior team, Jamie Chestney (Hunstanton) has again been selected and there is a first cap for Wayne Willgress of Norfolk B.

The international series will be held in Londonderry in September.

Chestney has again also been selected for the Senior team along with his Hunstanton teammate Mervyn King. The Senior series will be held in Worthing in July.

President Brian Howe's inter-county friendly match programme continues with matches against Hertfordshire and Surrey.

Norfolk team vHertfordshire at Ware BC on June 10: Colin Malyon, Peter Bird, Roger O'Leary, Derek Talbot, Tom Hall, Peter Cottee, Ken Armstrong, Ray Lusted, George Hunter, Brian Howes, Roger Greef, David Shimmell, Phil Earnshaw, Peter Ewing, Peter Hunter, Michael Halifax, Terry Crocket, Terry Izzard, John Godsafe, Roger Lench, Paul Hunter, John Blackburn, John Hardy, Roger Rudling.

Norfolk team v Surrey at Diss & District BC on June 15: John Fox, Gordon Bryant, Peter Bird, Humphrey Saunders, Derek Talbot, Tom Hall, Bill Windsor, David Shimmell, Jack Whitfield, Brian Howes, Trevor Webb, Malcolm Nicholson, Jim Malcolm, Bob Atkins, John Copping, Mike Gulliver, John Lacey, Bill Brookes, Mike Hartropp, Ken Morrison.