KENT started their indoor bowling season in style when they beat Middlesex 178-141 in the Home Counties League.

With four rinks playing at home, at Sittingbourne, and four at Cambridge Park, there was a point at stake for every rink and two bonus points for an overall win.

Kent won seven rinks, and overall 178-141, collecting nine points to their opponents’ one.

The next action for Kent is the second Liberty Trophy trial on Saturday at Sittingbourne. They begin the defence of the trophy on Saturday, November 1, against Hampshire at Wey Valley, Surrey.

Rink details, home: M Johnson, A Evans, I Shoobridge, P Barnicott 18 A Frankland 12; A Cook, C Marchant, A Dunn, J Dunn 17 J Kirk 25; J Coleman, S Green, C Hall, S McCaughan 29 T Mould 20; P Marchant, D White, M Collins, D Holmes 26 A Knott 22.

Away: T London, P Field, T Beesley, N Hornsby won 22-18; P Gent, C Smith, R Kendrick, A Styles won 24-13; I Way, W Crittle, T London, D Hanmore won 23-15; D Spittles, M Farrell, A Kellaway, W Cheesman won 19-16.