HUNTINGDONSHIRE bowlers captured two national titles in the English Bowling Federation Championships at Skegness last week. But there was agony for Hemingford s Barry Deller, who, despite showing imperious form all week, lost out in both the two-bowl and

HUNTINGDONSHIRE bowlers captured two national titles in the English Bowling Federation Championships at Skegness last week.

But there was agony for Hemingford's Barry Deller, who, despite showing imperious form all week, lost out in both the two-bowl and four-bowl singles finals.

Hemingford bowling trio Tony Chapman, David Gould and John Waine showed true grit to clinch the two-bowl rinks title while Jean Whittamore (Huntingdon) and John Hignett (Buckden) lifted the mixed pairs trophy.

Champman, Gould and Waine triumphed 24-11 in their final against a Durham team, while Whittamore and Hignett saw off the challenge of a Suffolk pair 20-16 to win their category.

Hemingford's Janet Chapman nearly completed a family double when she made the final of the two-bowl singles but let slip an 18-17 lead to lose 18-21 to Humberside's Marlene Atkinson.

However it was Deller's heartbreak that was the greatest, as he was beaten by a single point in the two-bowl event by his friend and North Cambridgeshire rival John Ivatt, after fighting back from 11-18 down.

The following morning Deller seemed to be on his way to a consolation victory in the four-bowl event but he let slip a 12-6 advantage to agonisingly go down 16-21 to Northamptonshire's Sean Fenlon.

Warboys bowler Brian Brett was eliminated in the semi-finals of the secretaries singles while Somersham's David Hare (Champion of Champion singles) and Buckden's Val Corn (senior singles) also lost out in the last four.

Lynda Childs (Hemingford), Ginny Marsh, Kate Carpenter, Mary Faux (all Needingworth), Jack Jepson (St Ives), Kevin Bowers, James Bowers and Brian Garrett (all Sawtry) all made the quarter finals of their respective events before being eliminated.

The event was the highlight of the year for Huntingdonshire Bowls Federation treasurer Peter Mason, who is enjoying his year as President of the English Bowling Federation.

But the president's week was nearly over before it had begun when he dislocated his elbow in a fall at the beginning of the week. He said: "I couldn't believe it when I ended up in a Boston hospital on day one of the event! Thankfully I was able to get back down to Skegness fairly promptly to enjoy a fantastic week of bowling.

"Huntingdonshire has done fantastically well this year, particularly given the relatively small size of the county in comparison to others.

"Barry Deller bowled excellently all week and I know he was extremely disappointed to miss out in his two final matches but I know he'll bounce back.

"My congratulations go to all the county's bowlers, particularly those who won their events, and to everyone involved in such a fantastic week - the highlight of a particularly wonderful year.