IT was Bailey’s Babes to the fore when Fareham A snatched a place in the Palmerston Cup semi-finals.

For the first time in the history of this triples’ competition at Palmerston a club fielded an all-female rink – and the girls came up trumps with Carol Pullin, Gina Pindar and skip Rosemary Bailey scoring a 14-12 victory to help Fareham gain a crucial 57-39 triumph against Hampshire Police.

Fareham started their final Group B fixture in fourth place but the win by a healthy margin not only carried them past Atherley Stripes but also, on a shots’ difference of just 10, past the constables who had begun the day in the second qualifying spot.

Bailey’s rink were always in front but had to resist a late comeback from Rob Heath, Ron Wilton and Adrian Dadd. Those ladies were not the only members of the Fareham fairer sex on show as Sheena Mack skipped her triple to a 22-13 verdict against Dave Biggs.

Sid Ryves (21-14) completed a Fareham hat-trick and was always in command against Derrick Fulker.

Full bowls review in today's Daily Echo