Dorchester scooped the new indoor national fives competition in a final round-robin of four teams at Egham IBC.

The strong county town team consisted of ex-England international Adam Tidby, past junior internationals Darren Nutman and Jamie Lockwood, as well as regular county stars Colin Gifford and Steven Huttley.

The first game was against an experienced Croydon outfit who caught Dorchester napping and won 6-2.

That meant Dorchester had to win against Kingsthorpe, which they did convincingly, 7-1.

The final group match also ended in victory for the county town as they defeated White Oak 6-2.

With both Dorchester and Croydon level on points, competition rules set up an epic five-player bowl off, with each man given just one bowl apiece.

Team selection was crucial and Nutman decided to go first.

He started excellently, putting his bowl just inside 18 inches but Croydon replied to hold shot.

Gifford went second and put his bowl just beside the Croydon shot, but they were still one down.

Huttley and Croydon’s third effort both went through the pack before Lockwood fell short and the opponents’ next delivery was placed inside six inches to hold shot.

This left Tidby with just a draw available and the former international showed his class to put the pressure on Croydon. The latter’s final bowl missed the target and Dorchester were crowned champions.

Captain Nutman said: “It is a great way to start the season and we hope we can add further national titles in the coming year.”

Other members of the squad who all played their part in the earlier rounds were Craig Johnson, Dean Curtis, Frank Gwatkin and Daniel Steadman.