St Andrews made the best possible start to the indoor bowls season with closely-fought victories in two big matches last weekend.

On Saturday, they beat a strong Ilminster team by four shots in the postponed semi-final of the 2019-20 Somerset County League.

Brilliant leading away by Craig Walker helped give them a comfortable lead, but both home rinks dropped late sixes to set up a tense finish which Saints edged.

They will play either Purnell or Taunton Deane in the final in December.

Taunton Deane were Saints’ opponents on Sunday in the national Top Club competition. It turned out to be a real nail-biter, with four of the five disciplines being decided by three shots or less.

At one stage, the visitors looked likely winners, but the Saints’ triple and rink both fought back for narrow victories, adding to wins by Carolina Venn and the outstanding pair of Rebecca McMillan and Sam Stocker.

Somerset County League 2019-20 semi-final: St Andrews 82, Ilminster 78. Home - D Fairhurst, R Venn, G Wride, P Villis 25-15; M Ford, A McMillan, S Stocker, S Angove 16-34. Away - C Walker, J Keay, K Curtis, L Stocker 25-5; M Campbell, T Wyatt, D Johnston, B Forse 16-23.

EIBA Top Club first round - St Andrews 14pts, Taunton Deane 2pts. Two-Wood Singles: Men - T Wyatt 8-21. Women - C Venn 21-18. Mixed Pairs: Rebecca McMillan/S Stocker 21-19. Mixed Triples: Audrey Powell, D Johnston, L Stocker 18-17. Mixed Rinks: S Sinclair, A Campbell, B Forse, P Villis 23-21.