BECCLES took the honours in the Beccles v Bungay skittles challenge between Beccles Helping Hands and Bungay Green Dragon pub, at the Bear and Bells at Beccles on Friday evening.

BECCLES took the honours in the Beccles v Bungay skittles challenge between Beccles Helping Hands and Bungay Green Dragon pub, at the Bear and Bells at Beccles on Friday evening.

Beccles won the event for the first time in three years by a narrow six-point margin, 462-456. Terry Simmons, vice-chairman of Helping Hands, said they were grateful to the Bear and Bells for providing the facilities and for the excellent buffet provided - and to the Green Dragon for their good humour in defeat.

The action was less energetic but just as tense at Beccles Camera Club where they hosted the annual match against Bungay Camera Club in a colour and black and white print contest. Ten of each from each club were judged by David Saunders, who was praised for a tremendous job with his marking.

The results were as follows: Colour Prints, Beccles 72.5, Bungay-80.5. Black and white prints: Beccles 73, Bungay-77. It meant a score overall in Bungay's favour of 157.5-145.5, giving them the point in the challenge.

The cribbage match was played at Bungay Royal British Legion Club between the two towns RBL branches. Eight singles matches were played, ending in honours being shared at four games each. In the four doubles matches, the Beccles lads came off best with a 3 -1 victory, giving a final result of Bungay RBL 5 Beccles RBL 7. But that was only the first leg of the contest - the two sides meet again at Beccles alter in the month with all to play for.

Said Bungay chairman Bob Honeywood: “After a most enjoyable evening, we look forward to the return leg in two weeks time - in the meantime the Bungay side are returning to the training ground!”