HEREFORDSHIRE County Bowling Association opened their season with a hard-fought, three-shot victory over Mid-Wales BA at Builth Wells when they won on four rinks in a 113-110 success.

Phil Williams skipped the highest winning rink with a 28-12 victory in a game in which Herefordshire were always ahead and led 21-10 after 15 ends before winning comfortably. Dennis Gardner's rink also had a good win, losing only seven ends in achieving a 22-13 victory.

The rink skipped by Don Pugh had a tight match and were level at 14-14 after 15 ends, but they registered a fine 22-15 win after winning five of the remaining six ends.

The remaining successful rink was skipped by Brian Cade who led 15-9 after 15 ends before losing five singles, but they scored two on the last end to win 17-14.

Jim Farmer's rink were always behind and down 21-8 after 17 ends, but they fought back to win the remaining four ends, scoring eight shots to finish only five down at 21-16, while the heaviest defeat was suffered by Dave Holloway, whose rink won only five ends in sustaining a 35-8 defeat.