Champions St Andrews were given a real test by local rivals Woodspring before beating them by five shots in the Somerset Men’s County League last Sunday.

Woodspring have just re-joined the league after some years’ absence, but they restricted Saints to just eight of the 12 points on offer by winning two rinks.

At home, the St Andrews rink skipped by Reece White were outstanding, opening up a 24-shot lead by the 15th of the 21 ends and winning eventually by 18.

Away, a seven on the sixth end gave Barrie Forse and his men an advantage that they rarely looked like losing and they won by eight. The other away rink, skipped by ex-Woodspring player Dave Fairhurst, staged a great comeback from 19-4 down to lose by just seven.

St Andrews went out at the area semi-final stage of the national men’s over-60 double-rink competition when Clarrie Dunbar proved too strong.

The home rink, skipped by Brian Reeves, were one down after 13 of the 18 ends, but finished strongly to win by seven. However, Forse’s away rink were well beaten by top-class opposition.

National Men’s Over-60 Double-Rink third round: Clarrie Dunbar 42, St Andrews 31. Home – D Johnston, G Wride, D Bailey, B Reeves 23-16. Away – G Millard, J Keay, A Biss, B Forse 8-26.

Somerset County League: St Andrews 85 (8pts), Woodspring 80 (4pts). Home – T Wyatt, A Page, R Whittaker, R White 32-14; G Millard, R Cox, D Bailey, P Villis 15-29. Away – J Keay, J Bullock, A Biss, B Forse 23-15; G Cooper, R Saddler, J Wright, D Fairhurst 15-22.