Bowls ace Holland caps brilliant summer

The Bexhill-based hot prospect, a finalist in the National Express Junior Singles Championship last month, was narrowly beaten by Oxfordshire's Rob Clanfield in the Junior Singles final.

"He didn't play at all well during the whole day," said father, Stuart, "which shows quite a bit of mettle. He was very pleased (at reaching the final), but everything being equal, I think he would have won. But he had to win three matches and the winner only had to play two because he had a bye in the first round. One of Stuart's games lasted over two hours and the second game was nearly two hours and I think he was just over-tired."

The Rosemount Bowls Club (Hastings) representative, 17, went 8-2 down in the final at Oxford City and County Bowls Club before clawing back to 11-11. His opponent then proceeded to carve out a 20-14 lead and, although Stuart claimed two more singles, Clanfield eventually managed to claim that elusive shot for a 21-16 win.

Holland, who plays indoors for Egerton Park, had earlier seen off John Head (Middlesex) 21-14 in round one and Nick Beeson (Surrey) 21-15 in the semi-finals of the seven-strong under-25s event.

The annual end-of-season competition involves the champions of each county and the matches took place on Home Counties Finals' Day.