SHORT MAT: Jenny Walker of Haddiscoe, Jean Woods of Bob Carter, Jon Sparham of Hempnall and David Lamb of Halvergate retained the Norfolk County Mixed Fours Championship at Lakeside and became the first rink to win the title in successive years.

They hit top form in the final, beating Sheila Johnstone of British Rail, Linda Chadwick, Les Chadwick and David Dewing of Sprowston 12-2 in a one-sided game.

In the third place play-off Chris Musk, Russell Hales, Ty Musk and Sheila Bragg of Connaught won 8-3 against Sue Hunt, Kim Bridge, Jason Woods and Melvin Woods of Bob Carter.

Piero Cognetti and Paul Isgate of Horsford won the Bure League Pairs qualifying heat at Kirby Bedon while Woodbastwick's Elsie Couling and Derek Sheldrake also qualified for the finals night in second spot.

A strong line-up at the Horsford heat was won by Kirby Bedon's Teresa and Selwyn Goldsmith with four straight wins.

Gillian and Robin Amos of East Tuddenham earned the second qualifying place. Coltishall's Ann Ducker and Willie Jefferies were unbeaten at the Anglian Windows heat winning three games and drawing one while Hevingham's Pat Williamson and Alan Bunn also qualified.

At Coltishall Trevor Hallett and Jim Couling of Woodbastwick delivered the goods, eliminating last year's runners-up Jimmy Dye and Joe Brown with a 14-6 win while Maureen and Ken Dease of Anglian Windows secured second place. A classic Norwich Cup clash at Woodbastwick saw the home side lose by a whisker against a Bob Carter side fielding three England internationals. In the last session Peter Jablonowski's triple beat Robert Howlett 9-7 to keep Woodbastwick's hopes alive but Carter's Melly Woods held Norma Jablonowski's triple to a 5-5 draw which clinched victory by 13-11 on points with the sides level on shots at 59-59.

Thurne League leaders Hemsby beat Halvergate 8-2 to gain revenge for their defeat there in October. Bradwell still remain the only unbeaten side after their 8-2 home win against Woodbastwick.

East Tuddenham suffered their first Bure League defeat of the season going down 8-2 at Woodbastwick where Norma Jablonowski's triple won 20-10.

Horsford Heroes moved to just two points behind City League leaders Sprowston but could have gone top if they had not lost 12-2 in the local derby at Horsford BC.

Old Bonds enjoyed only their second win as they beat Felthorpe 9-5. Jarrolds blew away visitors Anglian Windows 14-0.

City League Shield action saw Horsford Heroes and County Council level on eight points each but Horsford won 120-94 on shots.

South Norfolk League action saw Hempnall chalk up their sixth consecutive win beating struggling Saxlingham 10-0 in a largely one sided encounter.

Watton kept up their rich vein of form beating Framingham Earl 8-2 with Terry Crockett's triple winning 19-7. Wreningham remain without a win after losing 6-4 at home to Horsford. Connaught though proved too strong for Horsford beating them 8-2 with Sheila Bragg's triple starring for the home side winning 23-5. Framingham Earl were held to a 5-5 draw by visitors Thurton despite Mervyn Blaza winning 19-5.

Breckland League action saw Harling move into third place after a 10-0 home win against Watton with Betty Murphy, Terry Murphy and Matt Cunningham leading the way with a 21-5 win. Neil Davidson's Carleton Rode triple won 21-7 at Connaught A but the home side swept to an 8-2 win winning all the other games.

Connaught B are bottom after losing 8-2 at home to Yaxham and then losing by the same score at Banham.

Watton beat Hingham Green 6-4 in a close match with the match points secured by Roger Braham's triple who won 23-11. Hevingham have experienced one of their worst Bure League starts ever but moved three places up the table with a 10-0 win at St Faiths where John Richardson's triple won 19-6.

St Faiths have yet to gain a point after three games but Pam Daynes came close losing by just 18-16 to George Clarke.