WELLWORTHY'S teenage bowler Ryan Stone just missed out in one of the most exciting singles matches so far in the 44th annual Weymouth and Portland Opens Bowls Tournament.

Fourteen-year-old Stone was up against reknowned Baldock bowler Dicky Richardson who took a commanding lead before the youngster fought back to draw level on 17-17.

Richardson edged ahead again by 19-17 but Stone refused to give in and evened the score to 19-19. On the next end Richardson got the two-shots he needed for victory before breathing a sigh of relief and congratulating the teenager on a contest he thought worthy of a final.

Last year's singles winner, Mark Harding from Llantrisant started his defence in good form and now has a difficult third round duel against P Hammond (Bannister Park).

Fellow Llantrisant bowler, A Mathias, has made his mark in the tournament and with three wins under his belt now faces J Lowden, from Bristol Greenbank.

Last year's runner-up Barry Patterson from Greenhill is out of the tournament after losing 22-16 in the second round to C Richardson from Glasonbury.

Another local favourite John Crabb from Greenhill also departed early losing to fellow Greenhill player, M Gale, 21-19. The winner meets Dicky Richardson in the third round.

Dorchester's Martin Pavey also made his presence felt and is now lined up for a difficult match against R Francis (Spencer Moulton).

The Portland Victoria father and son Reg and Kevin Vincent both started well and have both earned themselves places in the third round where Reg faces E Young (Dorchester) and Kevin has to play R Clinton (Branksome Park).

Greenhill's Mike Chislett had a tense battle with P Thomas (Aberdare) before going through 21-20 and R Roberts (ECUBC) also started his championship bid well and is now set to play V Singleton (Alexandra Park) in the third round.

In the triples competition last year's winners Jones/Burnett (Wellworthy) and Lewis (GB Britton) had a very tight match but finally came through 17-16.

M Walker, J Walker and M Corben (Greenhill & Melcombe) fought hard against the young Greenhill triple of Hodder/Johnson/Mulholland but finally lost 16-15.

There were several matches where only one shot separated the teams after the final 18th end. Victory was secured by such a short margin for the local triples of Munroe/Britton/Kitchen and Clarke/ Young/Lockwood.

Ryan Stone joined up with the visiting Hertfordshire father and son pair of P & M Hammond and they looked to have the match against the Greenhill trio of Fellows/Langridge/Brown won going into the final end three shots up.

But jack movement by Brown with his final wood gave the Greenhill trio three shots thus forcing a tactical and very tense extra end. With all woods bowled the umpire was called on and by the very slightest of margins the shot and game was awarded to the Greenhill triple.

* There was drama on the rink at Wellworthy when past triples winner N Kemp (Baldock) suffered a heart attack. After treatment from paramedics he was taken to hospital where his condition is improving.

"We wish him a speedy recovery," said tournament spokesman David Wise.