Bridport Indoor Bowls Club Men's Team have been knocked out in the first round of a national knock out tournament. 

The team were well beaten in the National Inter Club Knock-Out competition for the Denny Cup 91-53 overall against their cross county rivals East Dorset.  

At home Brian Baker, Bob Hill, Phil Godfrey and Mike Fletcher were 13-5 up at the halfway stage but were hit by a late six count to finally draw 19-19.  

Phil Hedges, Adrian Legg, Daniel Humphries and Paul Hallett started well to take an early 5-1 lead. That was as good as it got though as they slumped to a 8-25 defeat.  

In the return fixture in Christchurch, Roger Gale, Brian Rumble, Andy Spiller and Bob Taylor went down 9-29.  

Mike Craddock, Nick Edwards, Brian Walsh and Barry Rattenbury almost forced another draw but narrowly lost 17-18.  

It looks like Bridport will face another tough match in the Plate competition against old rivals Moonfleet 2000.