HEREFORDSHIRE took maximum points to win the Three Counties Annual Bowls Festival at Malvern Indoor Bowls Club for the fifth time in six years.

The highest winning rink was skipped by Colin Walters who gave a fine display, well backed by county coach Bill Wheatley who was on also on top form at third with Keith Price and Jack Gray also playing well at the front end.

They conceded three singles at the start, but soon took control to lead 12-7 after 13 ends and won the remaining eight ends for an excellent 32-7 success over Gloucestershire.

The rink skipped by Mike Holmes also had a fine victory against Gloucester, and after being 12-12 after 11 ends, outclassed their opponents in the remaining ends to register a 34-14 win.

Terry Knight and John Bevan at the front played very well and Glyn Lloyd was also on top form at the third. Dave Holloway's rink were down 8-4 after 10 ends, but they recovered to gain a 24-15 success, with Roy Harris and Don Pugh at lead and second outbowling the Worcestershire front end and Ron Perry also playing very well at third.

The remaining rink, skipped expertly by John Wear, had an excellent win against Worcestershire by 24-10 with Pat Ellis and young Tom Holmes, who made his debut for Herefordshire, outbowling the opposing front end and also Geoff Jones in top form at the third.