British title for local teenage bowler Ollie Jeapes after a thrilling final, near miss in the British Isles Series for Parkway colleague and the latest county news

The talented Parkway player, winner of the national title last year, progressed to win the British title at Ayr Northfield in Scotland, beating home country representative Jacek Goldie 21-20 in the final.

Jeapes, who defeated Wales' Elijah Minett 21-13 in the semi-final, showed an ice cold demeanour and calmness under pressure to lift the title.

Meanwhile, club colleague Tristan Morton was in the England senior team that finished runners-up to Scotland in the British Isles international series.

Morton skipped triples and fours combinations as England missed out on the title by just three points.

COUNTY NEWS

Hunts hopes of reaching the Bowls England Middleton Cup final stages for the third time in four years hinge on the outcome of Saturday's home game against Central section leaders Bucks at Parkway.

It's a must win match for Hunts as they currently trail Bucks by 21 points, although they have a match in hand at home to Herts the following weekend.

Northants hopes of qualifying for the final of the English Bowling Federation's Adams Cup were ended by a narrow defeat away to Southern section leaders Suffolk.

Rink honours were shared at three apiece, but Suffolk took the bulk of the points by the slender margin of just three shots. It means that Northants' two defeats this season have been by one shot and now three.

Northants could still have a say in the destination of the title as they conclude their programme at Blackstones on Saturday against Lincs who are just three points behind Suffolk, who travel to Hunts.

Northants' Newton Trophy fixture at Suffolk on Saturday was called off owing to a player shortage. They are at home to Lincs at Whittlesey Manor on Saturday.

Meanwhile, Blackstones, the county's representative in the Durham Centenary Trophy, were beaten by the powerful Spalding-based Royal Mail Cart team.