Worthing's London and Southern Counties Shield last 16 tie against Egham ended on a sour note.

As Worthing skip Mick Howard bowled the very last delivery of the match with a chance of trailing the jack for numerous shots, the umpire called him for foot-faulting and his bowl was stopped and removed from the green.

The umpire also warned two Worthing players at Egham for allegedly running which - after a warning - is punishable by deducting a shot. Ironically the two he warned, Gordon Archibald and Bob Austin, are reckoned to be the two slowest movers in the club.

Worthing lost the match 78-73 despite winning two rinks, one home and one at Egham. A 25-6 home defeat for Sam Ives, Bill Smithers, Frank Chatfield and Brian Dunne proved decisive.

Preston won 80-75 over Adur despite Eric South, Chris Reynolds, Ian Watson and Joe Galelli losing 31-18 at Adur to Ken Holden's rink. Dennis Alderton, Alf Carver, Terry Woolgar and Basil Holding won 17-15 over Phil Hillsden's four while Preston's home rinks won 45-29 overall.

Peter Wood, Dave Hurdle, Brian Gillam and Dave Woosnam won 22-14 over John Cook, David Mole, John Waller and Terry Stevens while Lee Cooper, Tony Fenton, Dave Hesketh and Pat Flood came from behind to win 23-15 over Bob Martin-Cramp, Roy Bainbridge, John Chubb and John Godfrey.