Pavilion reach national last 16

Worthing Pavilion bowlers have reached the last 16 in a national competition after winning their area final by the narrowest of margins.

The over-60s double rink is a knockout tournament entered by hundreds of clubs across England, including 22 in Sussex. Two rinks of four from each club play home and away over 18 ends.

Pavilion defeated Arun B by 31-28 in their first match of this season's competition. They then beat Isle of Wight A 30-29 and Adur 34-31, which put them into the area final against Eastbourne & District.

On the home rink, Pavilion's four of Jeremy Simpson, John Winkley, Warwick Davis and skip Bill Murphy led 2-1 after three ends but scored only two shots in the next seven ends as Eastbourne seized control.

The visitors were 144 up heading into the final stages, before a three and a couple of singles from Pavilion narrowed the gap and made the result 16-9.

On the away rink, Ray Leggett, Colin Davey, Mick Patching and skip John Frew made a flying start. A four on the first leg was followed by a handful of singles. The hosts responded with a three and a two but never looked likely to overhaul Pavilion, who won 17-10.

That made the overall score 26-26, with 576 woods having been delivered. The match went to a sudden-death additional end to decide the victors. It was played at Eastbourne and Frew's four won it, securing overall victory by a single shot.

The first of the final stages in the English Indoor Bowling Association tournament takes place on February 6, when Pavilion face Bromley.