Rugby

BERKSHIRE Shire Hall cut the gap to the top of the Berks, Bucks & Oxon Two South table to seven points with a hard-fought 20-16 home success in their re-arranged match with Phoenix.

Rhys Stewart converted his own try early on, but the home side were only able to cross the whitewash once more, Ollie Jarrett going over a minute before half-time.

However, Stewart was also able to add the extras to that try, and with the help of two penalties, his side were able to hang on for victory.

Shire Hall face a huge clash at home to table-topping Aldermaston this coming Saturday.

Bowls

WHITEKNIGHTS Ladies reached the semi-finals of the national Vivienne Trophy with a 76-52 victory against Bromley.

In the last four of the competition – which is contested over four rinks, two at home and two away – they will take on Dolphin, from Orpington in Kent.

Whiteknights also enjoyed success in the annual Berkshire Ladies Top Club competition.

They gained 15 points, taking top spot ahead of Rivermead with 10, Desborough (9) and West Berks (8).

Each team played five triples against each other during the tournament.

Golf

TINA Mulford extended her lead at the top of the ladies’ winter league at West Berks by winning the penultimate round nine on Saturday with 37 points.

Jane Brackenbury was second with 33, while Gale McAuley took third place on 32.

Mulford with 177 points is now 11 points clear of Brackenbury and takes a virtually unassailable lead into the final round to be played on February 22.

Georgie Seaman won her second successive Winter Stableford Trophy competition with 35 points.

McAuley was second with 29, while Lyn Pell was a single shot further back in third spot.

Snooker

IVY LEAF A remain top of the Henley & District Billiards & Snooker League table following a 10-8 success against basement boys Park Institute J.

Second-placed Twyford slipped to a 9-8 loss against Earley B, Park Institute K overcame Berks CS 11-9, Harpsden downed Earley A 10-8 and Earley C beat their D team 11-7.