DORCHESTER Bowls Club was packed for the annual presentation of competition awards, and this year many of the cups and shields had new winners.

The major upset came in the men’s singles where England Under-25 international Nick Voss, who had swept all before him this season, suffered defeat.

He was outplayed on the day by close friend and experienced bowler Colin Gifford, who des-erved his surprisingly comprehensive 21-7 victory.

Gifford allowed Voss just three scoring ends and the former, a finalist in three competitions in all, added the men’s title to his sets singles crown.

The result of the ladies’ singles was a far closer affair between Barbara Follis and Jan Meyers, with the latter holding an 8-6 advantage before dropping a vital four count.

The game was still poised at 12-12 before Follis gained the upper hand on the run-in to eventually win 21-14.

And for Follis it was a game she had set her heart on winning.

The ladies’ championship at Dorchester had previously been won by the county town's incomparable top woman bowler Ann-ette Hallett on no less than 17 occasions.

She had dominated the event for more than 20 years before losing her long battle against cancer a year ago.

Her husband Phil donated a new trophy – the Annette Hallett Memorial Trophy – and Follis, who had played with Annette in the National Finals, was the first to win the new cup.

The old trophy will now go on permanent display at the club.

At the other end of the spectrum, Di Lunn trailed Mike Lay 19-16 in the novice singles final before winning all the remaining ends to seal a 21-19 triumph.

The county town’s young bowlers gave a good account of themselves, with Jack Corbin, Ben White and Dean Curtis winning the under-16, 18 and 25 titles respectively.

OTHER RESULTS

Men’s Sets Singles: Colin Gifford beat Mike Corbin 2-0

Ladies’ Sets Singles: Sue Lofthouse beat Freda Yates 2-1

Men’s Pairs: Alan and Dean Curtis beat Ashley Jury and George Spracklen 22-7

Ladies’ Pairs: Jan Meyers and Sue Lofthouse beat Julie Corbin and Freda Yates 26-20

Mixed Pairs: Sue Maggs and Brian Martin beat Melissa Makepeace and Eddy Young 21-16

Open Triples: John Wheeler, Arthur Lacey and Barbara Follis beat Ashley Jury, George Spracklen and Colin Gifford 19-18