AWARD-WINNING King and Queen A bowls team will be hoping Damian Morrison can maintain his outstanding form during a week that could make or break their season.

Lancashire Merit winner Morrison is a key member of the side that was crowned Warrington Sports Personality Team of 2005 and, together with his competition successes already this year, had not lost a league game up to the weekend's programme of matches.

This year he has won a Welsh pairs event with Ross Wightman, has qualified for the All England Championships in Northenden in July and the Champion of Champions at The Waterloo Hotel in Blackpool in September, as well as reaching the finals of the Stockport Victoria and Rochdale Bamford competitions in July.

The 31-year-old's form will be invaluable to the all-conquering 2005 Padgate side when they play semi-final matches in Warrington and North Cheshire Bowls Association's Challenge Cup and Silcock Cup competitions over the next two weekends.

King and Queen face up-and-coming Alford Hall in one of two Challenge Cup semis to take place on Grange Sports Club's greens on Saturday at 2pm, with the other being between St Oswalds A and Tetley A. And Morrison knows that King and Queen will not have everything their own way as they bid for a fourth success in five years in the town's premier team bowls competition.

He said: "King and Queen and St Oswalds have been the main two teams in the league, with Grange being third, and both teams will be favourites to go through for a repeat of the 2004 final.

"But Alford Hall have probably been the most improved team in the league, coming from nowhere and taking over Grange's position. We have a very good record against them but they gave us a hiding at their place two weeks ago.

"The weekend after we play St Oswalds in the semi finals of the Silcock Cup. I think we have to give them a six points start with the handicap and that's going to be a massive game for us."

Warehouse operative Morrison, who lives in Padgate, has been playing bowls since he was 10 years old and it is now a seven days a week hobby for him.

As well as representing King and Queen on Monday and Friday nights, he plays for Lovely Lane in the Warrington Public Parks' Bowls League on Tuesdays, Tetley Walker in the Manchester Super League on Wednesdays, Chorlton team Lloyds in the Trafford League on Thursdays and also takes part in as many other competitions as possible at weekends.

"It's a case of straight home from work and straight on to the bowls green, but I enjoy it," he said.