BOTH Braintree Bowling Club and Witham Mill Lane had a chance to gain some early season experience as they met in a friendly match.

It was the first friendly of the season for both clubs and offered new players, and the more experienced, an opportunity to test the greens, hone their bowling skills and gain familiarity of bowling against good opposition.

Although, Braintree ran out winners over three rinks of triples, the 64-48 scoreline did not really reflect the true pattern of the game.

Both teams, home and away, played well and probably the home advantage for Braintree was the telling point in the final result.