Dorchester'S Eddy Young flew the flag for Dorset when he won the singles title at the 44th Weymouth and Portland Open Bowls Tournament.

In an exciting contest in front of a big crowd on the excellent Wellworthy green, Young beat Bannister Park's Mark Hammond by 21-20 after his opponent needed one shot for victory after 22 ends.

Young was 14-7 down at 13 ends, 19-14 down at 20 ends and pulled a single back at 21 ends before Hammond replied with one shot at the 22nd end.

Then Young had the sensational threes to clock out 21-20 and lift the trophy which was presented by Shirley Phillips representing the sponsors Co-operative Funeral Care.

The losing semi-finalists were Mark Pavey from Dorchester and Graham Eskins from Llantrisant.

The Pairs final was a little one-way going to Alexandra Park duo Derek Ames and Barry Sheppard who gained an emphatic 26-9 win over Chris Weekes and Roger Button from Poole Park.

It was 10-8 at ten ends but then the Alexandra Park pair scored on the next ten ends to run out worthy winners. They received a new cup, the Jack Cummings Trophy in memory of the past county president and regular tournament competitor, from his daughter Jenny Andrews.

The Triples final saw Phil Goater, Steve Hunt and Will Matthews from the Ardagh Club gain a convincing victory over Gwyn Austin, Nick Wood, Phil Hollaway from Llantrisant.

They were 10-5 up at eight ends, 11-8 up at 11 ends and then ran out the next six ends with a 1, 1, 4, 2, 1, 3, to lift their well deserved success at the 17th end with a 23-8 victory.

Delight

Greenhill's Derek Gray, Mike Gale, Mike Chislet and Dorchester's Jamie Lockwod, Pete Clarke, Eddy Young had exited in the semis.

The Ladies Pairs final was a double delight for Kitty Mulholland from Melcombe Regis BC and Margaret Fraser of Arbroath Abbey.

Their opponents Shirley Bowley and Sheila Baker from Greenhill held a 11-5 lead at nine ends but then Kitty and Margaret rattled in a 5, 1, 4, to go 21-6 up at 13 ends

The Greenhill pair replied with a one at 14 ends and gained a two and three at the 17th and 18th end to pull back to 21-12. But Mulholland and Fraser then scored a 4, 1, 1, 2, 1, to earn the Ladies Pairs ' crown.

The losing semi-finalists were Gloria Dendy and Sue Jennings from Dorchester and Cherry Wootton and Jenny Andrews from Wimborne.

The Springfield Cup consolation triples competition for players previously eliminated from other events, was won by the team of the Tony Colton (Melcombe Regis), Pat Gore (Dorchester), and Dave Powell (Greenhill).

They defeated John Crawford (Greenhill), Dan Brooks (Greenhill) and Andy Crawford (Melcombe Regis) 21-16 for a well earned victory.

Newcomer Colton bowled consistently well at lead throughout the tournament and was well supported by Gore and Skip Powell to go 10-2 up at six ends. They dropped a five at the seventh end but scored well over the next five ends to go 18-7 up.

The Greenhill trio rallied with two threes to make it

18-13. Colton, Gore and Powell gained a two at 15 ends to go 20-13 up and although their opponents gained a 1, 2, they had left it too late.

The cup was presented by Wellworthy president H Miller.

The Under-18 final was contested by the same two players as last year, Blandford's Ben Paulley and Wellworthy's Nigel Skidmore. Paulley took the trophy in a good-spirited contest where both youngsters did themselves proud.

Paulley received the Jim Harding Shield from Youth Development Officer Brian Davis plus £20, with £10 and another trophy going to the runner-up. The prize money sponsors were P M Read (Florists).

The Swinging Wood Trophy was presented by tournament chairman Ron Lewendon, to Lynne Mumford of Wellworthy. Sandy Gore from Dorchester was runner-up. The nearest the jack prize went to Tommy Welton of Weymouth and Melcombe Regis.

The presentation of prizes was carried out by deputy mayor Lynne Herbert.

The sponsors, Co-operative Funeral Care, Dorset Echo, Weymouth & Portland Tourist Service Department, P M Read Florist, and the Crown Hotel were thanked by Ron Lewendon for their support

He also thanked everybody concerned in the organisation of the event, especially Dave Wise for his running of the tournament draw.