Surrey went down to their first friendly defeat of the season when they were pipped 125-119 by Essex at Gidea Park Bowls Club.

Surrey won on three rinks and drew another, but this did not quite make up for defeats of the other two rinks.

Peter Duncan (Croydon), Ted Exall (Old Coulsdon), Roger Tarran (Purley Bury) and Mike Haigh (Cheam) were top rink with a 24-20 success.

Ron Hackney (Southward Sports BC) and Richard Barnett (Windlesham) were both presented with their county badges by president Terry Foote for their success in last year’s county unbadged competition.

Essex 125 Surrey 119 Rink 1: Essex 20 Surrey: Peter Duncan, Ted Exall, Roger Tarran, Mike Haigh 24. 2: Essex 19 Dave Edwards, Richard Barnett, Dave Candeland, Ian Ross 20. 3 Essex 26 John Tucker, Ron Hackney, Terry Foote, Julian Astill 17. 4: Essex 21 Deric Homes, Robert Palser, Trevor Pocock, Frank Dodd 23. 5: Essex 17 Robin Taylor, Brian Wilkinson, Edward Dear, Bill Ayling 17. 6: Essex 22 Bernie Pederson, Peter Pearce, Steve Cooke, Alan Bennett 18.

Surrey took two teams to Warwickshire last week and both beat their hosts.

The Surrey men’s past president’s BA beat the Warwickshire Vice President’s BA 122-90 at Statford-upon Avon.

Meanwhile, the main county team were convincing 142-112 winners over Warwickshire at Welford-on-Avon BC, winning five of the six rinks.

Mick Blake (Chessington), John McDonnell (Norbury), David Sowdon (Epsom) and Graham Craig (Chessington) returned the best card with a 30-11 victory.

Pat Buckley (Epsom) and Gerry Vincent (Chessington) received their county badges for success in last season’s unbadged singles competition.

Warwickshire 112 Surrey 142 Rink 1: Warwicks 19 Surrey: Tony Bourne, Pat Buckley, Peter Miller, Bill Ayling 28. 2: Warwicks 20 Ken Chesson, Alan Thornton, John Tucker, Graham Dawber 25. 3: Warwicks 19 Bob Thornton, Gerry Vincent, Terry Foote, Brian Cave 20. 4 Warwicks 17 Mick Gray, Roy Strudwick, Les Owen, Peter Hunt 23. 5: Warwicks 11 Mick Blake, John McDonnell, David Sowdon, Graham Craig 30. 6: Warwicks 26 Martin Harbottle, John Scarfe, George Sperring, Jim Mason 16.