SWINDON & District Men’s Bowling Association endured mixed fortunes at the weekend in their double header against district sides from Hampshire.

Their representative team produced a superb comeback in the final quarter at Swindon Bowls Club against Portsmouth & District to grab a 19-shot victory.

However, 24 hours later with a much-changed side they were always struggling and were thumped 159-80 by Basingstoke & District at Rodbourne Cheney.

On Saturday at Swindon, across the board Swindon & District trailed 55-44 and 77-67 at 10 and 15 ends respectively but then roared back.

They collected a handsome 30 shots in the next three ends to move 97-82 clear and finally ran-out 113-94 victors.

Swindon & District men took the honours on three of the six rinks, drew another and lost on two.

The all West End rink skipped by Alan Brewer won by 12 shots, while Alan Penfold’s Supermarine quartet were always ahead and won by five shots.

This was the same winning margin for Brian Hunt’s rink, who were 10 shots down at halfway but fought back to claim a win. In the game between the respective presidents, honours were shared.

Les Cox (Swindon West End), the 2010 Swindon & District president, saw a 12-5 lead at 10 ends disappear completely, but with a good recovery in the last three ends from four shots down, he snatched a draw.

The following day at Rodbourne Cheney, Cox drew again, this time 23-23 with his Basingstoke counterpart.

However, this draw was the only taste of success that Swindon & District men enjoyed as they lost the other five rinks.

The all-Penhill quartet were involved in a tight game and went down by three shots, but the other four all lost heavily.

Swindon & District’s Les Cox will have enjoyed his first win as district president over Portsmouth, but not the big defeat at the hands of Basingstoke.

A total of nine Swindon & District representative games remain and Cox will be seeking his second success of the 2010 campaign when the men meet the Swindon & District ladies in the annual clash of the two associations this year at Supermarine on Sunday, June 6 (2.30pm).

RESULTS At Swindon Rink 1: John White (Swindon), Les Evans (Rodbourne Cheney), Jim Crook (C Ground) and Brian Hunt (R Cheney) beat R Wiffin 22-17.

Rink 2: Cyril Giles, Ian Wilmot, Kevin Hillier and Alan Brewer (all Swindon West End) beat C Muller 21-9.

Rink 3: Rod and Denis Holborow (both Westlecot), Jim Cremin and Les Cox (both West End) drew with John Emerson 19-19.

Rink 4: Rik Hunter (W’lecot), Chris Payne (Garrards), Stuart Murray (Swindon) and Roy Major (Supermarine) lost to Ted Winning 17-19.

Rink 5: Ron Merry, Rob Williams (both Wanborough), Dave Barnett (County Ground) and George Milne (Wanboro’) lost M Budgen 15-18.

Rink 6: Ron Ansell (S’marine), George Lambdon (Wanboro’), Eddie Boulton and Alan Penfold (S’marine) beat A Long 19-12.

S&D Men beat Portsmouth & District 113-94.

At Rodbourne Cheney Rink 1: Paul Turner Jnr, Shaun Isted, Bob Griffin and Paul Turner (all Penhill) lost to I Hayward 18-21.

Rink 2: Jim Hill (Swindon), Dave Royle (R Cheney) and Les Cox (West End) drew with D Elliott in a triple 23-23.

Rink 3: Ron Ansell (S’marine), George Lambdon (Wanboro’), Jim Crook (C Ground) and Alan Penfold lost to D Sims 10-36.

Rink 4: Mike Payne, Les Evans, Tony Griffin and Brian Hunt (all R Cheney) lost to A Chappell 13-23.

Rink 5: Rik Hunter (W’lecot), David and Stuart Murray (both Swindon) and Roy Major (S’marine) lost to G Tomkins 7-26.

Rink 6: Ron Merry, Colin Hogden (both Wanboro’), Derek Fry (Town Gardens) and George Milne (Wanboro’) lost to K Greenhall 9-30.

S&D Men lost to Basingstoke & District 80-159.