CHAWTON Park’s Margaret Holden has won through to the National Champion of Champion finals (last 16) to be played at Warners Lakeside in February.

She began badly against Betty Spicer (Arun IBC) who found the Banister Park green to her liking and built a 15-5 lead. But the Chawton bowler dug deep and began to reduce the deficit and now it was Spicer’s turn to feel the pressure as the gap closed to two shots.

Holden, twice game down, fought back each time and then picked up a single in the penultimate end. Spicer again held game in the final end, but Holden, holding a good second, rolled away the shot wood to sit two and win this titanic battle.

In the men’s equivalent competition, Chawton’s Adam White was up against Russell Gadd from Palmerston.

Banister Park is usually a happy hunting ground for White, but a late arrival due to motorway congestion was not the best preparation for such an important match and an in-form Gadd ended Chawton’s dream of having both club champions through to the last 16.

Charlie Spear had a comfortable win in the National two-wood singles over Chawton club-mate Terry Cull.

There was success too for Margaret Holden and Adam White in the National mixed pairs against another Chawton pairing, Sue Murray and Graham Robinson.

Chawton’s O60s ladies had a fine win over Bournemouth in the Mason Trophy. The home rink, skipped by Brenda Plumpton, won 20-8 and Margaret Leppard’s away rink kept their losing margin to five shots, Chawton winning overall by seven.

Chawton fielded a weakened men’s team against formidable East Dorset in the Bramley Bowl league. But Chawton started strongly and built an unassailable lead, with the rinks of Dave Atwell (home), John Blair and David Sims (both away) dominating their matches.

Dick Holden’s rink then let their early advantage slip. With just Holden’s men on the green, the score was 19-19 and a win would give Chawton maximum points. It was not to be and the extra point slipped away. However, the 100-56 win moved Chawton to the top of the league on shot difference over Palmerston.