SUPERMARINE continued their 60th anniversary celebrations last Sunday with a match against the Wiltshire Men's Bowls Association.

This was the second in a series of four games to celebrate the landmark and County president Adie Lloyd (North Wilts) fielded a strong side at South Marston.

Supermarine, who have only been a mixed club since 2002, fielded an all men's team for the match, led by club president and long-standing secretary Mike Baycroft.

The hosts though, found life extremely tough as they went down by 30 shots 126-96 with Wilts taking the honours on five of the six rinks.

Marine's lone success came from the quartet of Pete Kilburn, Philip Tremblin, Kevin Mitchell and skip Mick Shepherd. Despite a late rally from the Wiltshire rink, skipped by ex-president Bernard Crabb, Marine held on for a five-shot victory.

Three of the Marine rinks went down by eight shots, leaving county president Lloyd with a dilemma when selecting his top rink for the prizes at the dinner.

In the battle of the presidents Lloyd came out on top.

In a tight and low-scoring match, Baycroft's rink skipped by Supermarine captain Bill Jordan held the advantage until the 13th end where Lloyd collected a three to go 9-8 up. Lloyd then pulled away before Jordan picked-up a two on the last end to cut the deficit to four.

"It was another great day and one the club will remember fondly," said Baycroft. "Considering the rain we have had over the past few days we were very fortunate with the weather. It was overcast but didn't rain. Supermarine were the perfect hosts again today allowing the opposition to win overall!

"To be honest the score didn't really matter, it was the occasion and taking part that counted. It was also nice to see so many familiar faces here again."

Baycroft added: " Supermarine have had many ups and downs over the years like other clubs.

"It has even risen from the ashes after the old clubhouse was burnt down in 1983 but today we are a thriving club who now own the freehold to the land.

"The club have also benefited from the former Wills club members joining us. It gave us a ladies section.

"Everyone seemed to enjoy themselves and I would like to thank Adie Lloyd and the Wiltshire BA for coming here for our anniversary game."

In response Lloyd said: "I always like coming to Supermarine and it was a great pleasure to bring a side here today. We have won on five of the rinks. There was a great turn-out and we have had a very enjoyable time. I wish Supermarine the best of luck in the future and hope the rest of celebrations this year go as equally as well as today."

Supermarine's final two 60th anniversary matches are a mixed game against Wiltshire on Tuesday, July 24 and another against Swindon & District on Friday, August 31.

On Sunday the club stages their annual charity day with all proceeds going to the Prospect Foundation.

RESULTS Rink 1: Jon Tomlin, Paul Tilbury, Pete Blackler and Alan Wilkinson lost to Mel Williams (SVP, Highworth), Graham Duke (Swindon), Terry Clarke and Iain Cameron (both Spencer Melksham) 15-23.

Rink 2: Pete Kilburn, Philip Tremblin, Kevin Mitchell and Mick Shepherd beat Roy Major, Eric Spackman, Ray Fernandes (all Swindon) and Bernard Crabb (Malmesbury) 23-18.

Rink 3: Tom Wooster, Mike Baycroft (president), Joe Ruddick and Bill Jordan (c) lost to Jamie Gilchrist, Dave Eaton (both Wootton Bassett), Tudor Lloyd (Swindon) and Adie Lloyd (president, North Wilts) 12-16.

Rink 4: Tony Dunphy, Mike Kilburn, Stuart Weston and Alan Clark lost to Joe Backshell (Haydon Wick), John Duncan (Blue Circle), Barry Wheeler (JVP, Swindon) and Howard Brewer (Trowbridge Westbourne) 18-25.

Rink 5: Darren Miles, Eric Rayson, Mike Scott and Richard Gardiner lost to Len Hayward (Devizes), Peter Naish (Trow West), Don Clarke and Bob Hiles (both Swindon) 15-23.

Rink 6: Les Dew, Eric Gawthorne, Steve Axton and Alan Penfold lost to Peter Bradbury (Devizes), Les Cox (Swindon), Steve Haddock (Marlborough) and Harry Langley (Swindon). 13-21.

Final score: Supermarine lost to Wiltshire BA 96-126.