BOWLS: HEXHAM Elvaston faced the full might of champions Gosforth as the 2016 outdoor bowls season started.

The holders of the Northumberland Nines League brought with them a very strong team, which included a couple of international players, as they turned up the heat.

In a cold start to the campaign, Gosforth adapted to the conditions well and won all three rinks. The Elvaston fours competed well, especially in the first half, and the pairs also made a game of it after a slow start.

However, the star performance for Elvaston came from the triples. After a very close match, they were lying match shot with just one bowl to come until Gosforth skip drew the shot to secure maximum points.

The West Tyne matches at Elvaston and Prudhoe were called off due to heavy rain, but the weather forecast predicts the action could get under way this week.