TWO players from St Martins Bowls Club in Hereford excelled in a singles competition in Weston-super-Mare.

Jim Knowles, who is a tournament regular, reached the final of the Men's Open Bowls tournament for the first time, beating Don Towie, of host club Clarence, 21-11 in the semi.

However, in the final, he lost to Adie Burbridge, of St Dunstans Club Worcester.

Burbridge rarely falters and won 21-11 to take the title for the eighth time.

In his semi-final, Burbridge beat Keith Caldicutt, who also plays for St Martins.

Caldicutt was making his first appearance in the tournament and was involved in the longest singles match of the event, a 28-end, 140-minute battle against Cornishman Morman Coad, which Caldicutt won 21-20.

But Burbridge showed no mercy against him, racing into a 17-0 lead before winning comfortably.