DUNDEE won the 25th Four Countries Fellowship Trophy for Scotland at Hartlepool.

The tournament, which was last played at Pool in 1976, saw Dundee, Belfast, Cardiff and Hartlepool do battle over two days and the Scots comfortably retained the handsome trophy they won on home soil last year.

Each country met at singles, triples and rinks, with a possible nine points to be won in each match, including a three point bonus for three victories.

Scotland were the overall winners of five of the sections, finishing with 46points. Wales were runners-up with 41 points, while England and Ireland met in the final session with just half a point separating them. England won the rinks match 40-27, taking seven points to total 40 points, leaving Ireland bottom with 34 points.

Ireland, who carried away the magnificent wooden spoon in great humour, included three players who played in the augural tournament, Tom Sutton, Stan Elspie and Bob McKay, while Scotland's Bob Sandilands was also an "original".

In addition to Elspie Ireland included World Champion Jim Baker and Sammy Allen.

In the British isles Under-25 Internationals, held at Llandrindod Wells, Wales took the crown with a double over the holders, England, and Ireland.

Durham's David Bolt skipped his rink to victory in both his matches - 21-15 against Wales and 21-16 against Ireland - while Northum berland's Paul Ging won 25-24 against Ireland, but lost the opener 24-13. The tournament, however, was seriously devalued because, like the senior event, Scotland were absent following a financial dispute.