Heathrow Airport jetted off with the honours when their very strong team visited Basildon Senior Strollers for a ten-pin bowls match.
They triumphed over the new towners by a very narrow margin of only 203 pins - 21,613-21,410.
The visiting club's Margaret Wood was the top women's scorer with 522 points, with Basildon's Jim Joscelyn top man on 583.
Eighty bowlers took part - the highest yet for a challenge match - and officials of the Basildon team thanked the Town Centre bowl for the buffet and the good condition of the lanes.
Any overs-50s, including beginners, who would like to try out ten-pin with the Strollers should contact Pat Harrison on 01702 202704.
Basildon's next challenge is at home to Lewisham Seniors in May followed by a visit to Eastbourne in June.
Bests for Senior pair
Southend Senior ten-pin bowlers Eileen Joscelyn (211) and Terry Liddiard (231) recorded personal bests when their team hosted Gravesend Seniors at the Kursaal.
But their top scores were not enough to stop the hosts going down 15,359-15,081 to their Kent visitors.
Yet Southend are hoping to turn the tables on Gravesend when they play them in the return match next month.
Southend will be next be hosting Tolworth Over 50s on June 14 in the first match the Surrey side have ever played away.
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