Ilford indoor bowls team just secured promotion after a tense winner-takes-all clash with Clacton.

Going into the match they knew they had to take a minimum of 11 points of the 13 on offer.

At home it was a close contest on Dave Waters’ rink, involving Bryan Kelly, Jock McCabe and John Pluck as they edged to a 19-16 victory, despite being six shots behind with only two ends remaining.

The other two rinks weren’t quite so close as Dave Betts, Barry Holbrook, Steve Simpson and Tony Seago secured a 30-14 win on their rink, whilst Paco Rodrigues, Rod Hudson, Bob Druce and Mick Bevis also won comfortably 21-13.

Away from home it was a much tighter affair as Paul Whellams’ rink, which also included Russell Hughes, Keith Tyler and Ian Scammell, won a tough match 22-19.

It was also close as Simeone Madgwick edged his rink alongside Mitch Brenner, Paul Woodford and Colin Sinclair 17-14.

It all came down to the last rink, skipped by Chris Granger with Gerry Weiland, Colin Foster and Terry Litchkin.

And although they lost it 25-24, they had the overall score win at both venues and was enough to secure the 12-1 overall win needed to pip their opponents to the second promotion place.