Thorpe Marriott moved 10 points clear of second-placed Halvergate in the Bure League after a last-wood winner by John Jarvis snatched victory against Woodbastwick.

In a tight first half, Thorpe Marriott's Margaret McPherson, Mandy Marshall and Kath Frost had beaten Margaret Harman's triple 15-13 while Woodbastwick replied with a 14-13 win for Mel Barrett, Brian Frost and Derek Sheldrake against Richard Perkins' triple.

Brian Bunting, Les Harman and Peter Jablonowski added a 17-16 second-half win for Woodbastwick against George Clarke's triple, but the match points were earned for Thorpe Marriott by Jenny Walker, Ted Redwood and John Jarvis after the Marriott skip produced a terrific last bowl to clinch a 14-11 win and see his team over the finishing line with a 6-4 home win.

Horsford BC suffered two more defeats just before the Christmas break and their six losses from six games leaves them rooted to the bottom.

They were defeated 8-2 at Horsford Heroes, where Nigel James, David Crosby and Mick Dale led the way for the Heroes with a superb 23-3 win against Cathy Fiddy's triple, while John Aggas added a 13-10 win and Vic Webster won by 18-7.

Paul Isgate's triple collected the only points for the visitors, beating Sue Fox 13-12.

The following evening Horsford BC visited Hevingham, who were also yet to win in the Bure this season.

A 24-4 first-half win for Pat Williamson, Pat Hall and Steve Hall against Paul Isgate gave Hevingham the perfect start while Danny Allen, Barbara Ayres and Ray Ayres replied for Horsford BC with a narrow 13-11 win against Aleck Haynes. Both second-half games went Hevingham's way, though, with Gill Bunn, Joyce Vincent and Alan Bunn beating Malcolm Makins 16-9 and Betty Cox, Chris Brooks and Maurice Kemp winning 14-9 against Terry Raisbury, leaving Horsford BC on the end of another 8-2 defeat.

The first Sunday in January sees the last County Championship and Nationals qualifier of the season played at Hingham when the Norfolk Mixed Fours title is up for grabs with play commencing at 9.30am. Eight rinks will be taking part with the draw for the two groups of four taking place prior to play.