BOURNEMOUTH'S Steve Preston has collected his first ever national racketball title after he won the over 45s section of the English Championship at Basildon.

The Dorset man travelled to the event with his training partner Peter Pietruszka and on arrival they found they had been drawn to play each other in the first round.

Preston triumphed and moved through the draw to the semi-final where he faced reigning champion and second seed Nigel Millington.

After a torrid opening game, which Preston took 15-14, he got on top of Millington and won the next two games 15-6 15-9.

In the final he met the top seed Paul Selby from Essex.

The opening two games were full of long arduous rallies and neither player exerted his authority, the top seed took the first 15-13, but Preston drew level taking the second by the same margin.

After a summer working out in the gym and losing a stone in weight Preston was fit and ready for a five-set dual.

Preston edged ahead taking the third to 10 and it was now clear that his illustrious opponent was running out of steam.

Keeping the ball live Preston severely tested the Essex man's fitness in the fourth game and his opposition slowly ebbed away.

Preston took full advantage, winning the game and the championship 13-15 15-13 15-10 15-6.

The champion told the Daily Echo: "I still felt good in the third and could see he (Selby) was struggling, so in the fourth I deliberately set out to rally but he collapsed quicker than I expected."

Bournemouth's newest champion's next challenge will be to play in the national nacketlon Championship in Heston in October.

The event, which encompasses squash, badminton, table tennis and tennis with opponents playing each other in all four disciplines up to 21 points, is to racket sports the cousin of decathlon and triathlon.

The Dorset man was introduced to the sport by David Lloyd team-mate Nick Macey who is currently ranked 30 in the World.

Preston considers his strength to be at table tennis and badminton with squash his third strongest sport.