THE Kent bowls team made a good start to the season by beating Buckinghamshire 45-32 in the first round of the Walker Cup (Double Rink).

It was a close encounter and the scores were level at 25 each after 15 ends.

With MoHayes' team finishing thei game the score stood at 38-32 in Kent's favour, leaving Bucks needing seven shots to win or six to force an extra end.

But after the front end had delivered their woods it was clear Bucks would be unable to get their required shots, leaving the 3 and Skip to try for a no-end, which they failed to achieve.

Kent now meet Berkshire in the second round on June 23.