BOWLS master Alan Robinson's greatest battle was against the elements as he took the British Top 32 Merit Table play-off title on Saturday.

The Wharton Cons ace won five games in conditions hardly suitable for the start of the Crown Green season, at the Raikes Hotel in Blackpool.

Robinson's semi-final pitted him against a local rival in Hazel Pear's Jason Cornes, but he emerged with a 21-8 success.

In the final, Robinson beat Roger Morgan of Patricroft 21-14 to win a place in the Federation Individual Merit at Chester Road, Whitchurch on Sunday, August 12.

Robinson continued his good form on Sunday by winning three games to qualify for the final 32 in the Bass Open at Meole Brace on Sunday, April 22.

POCHIN'S Club in Middlewich has announced that it will be holding the Alan Bratt Memorial Trophy for the 15th year in 2001.

The competition is limited to 64 players, and will run every Saturday from May 19 to June 9 inclusive, play starting at 6.30pm.

Entry is £10 with total prize money, subject to entry, of £1,000. The winner will receive £250 and all players who win two games and progress to the last 16 win £25.

Cheques should be made payable to PSSC Bowling Section and sent to: Bill Eaton, 3 New King Street, Middlewich, CW10 9ED. Tel: 01606 833857.

JOHN Gatley of Warrington and Swinton's Lee Lawton qualified from the first two rounds of the Wharton Conservative Club Open Bowls Competition on Sunday.

Gatley beat Aiden Kenny of Liverpool 31-20 and Brian Formstone of Wrexham 31-26, while Lawton's progress came via wins over Gatley's son Antony, 31-21, and Wirral bowler Anthony O'Neil, 31-19.