ONLEY Arms were unable to overturn league placings when they travelled to Essex Invitation Petanque League leaders Billericay B as they lost a closely-fought match 2-1.
Steve Tooley, Trevor Blows and Graham Hill came from behind in the triples to make the score 10-10, but the hosts held them off for a 13-11 win.
The singles was close early on, before Blows took control to win 13-6 and square the overall match, but in the deciding pairs, Hill and Neil Morgan were unable to convert an 11-3 lead into a victory as they were pegged back to a 13-12 loss.
The win wasn't enough to keep Billericay B top, though, as they were replaced by Thorley, who produced a good performance at the Swan, Little Totham to go to the summit.
A 3-0 win putting then into first place in the table on points difference.
Bocking Boules won 2-1 at Three Elms A.
The triples was a close game, with Bocking winning 13-11 and Paul Griffin and Mark Williams then won the pairs 13-5 to seal the win.
John Elstone rescued a point for the Chignal side with a 13-6 win over Geoff Cockwell.
Blackwater U3A had an excellent win at Billericay A, with Peter Harden claiming the deciding singles 13-8 in a 2-1 victory.
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