THE Dorset under-18s national heats were held at East Dorset Bowls Resort, proving once again that the sport’s popularity is on the increase in the area.

The finalists met to determine who would represent Dorset in the national finals in Derbyshire next March.

Due to the number of entries this year, Dorset hope to be allocated four places in these finals.

There was a star-studded line-up on show with Ben Riley, Alex Kley, Ben Norton, Ben Weeks and Sam Everett, who are all in the current England under-21 squad taking part.

After the group stages, Thomas and Riley were undefeated to win their respective groups, however, both group runners-up Kley and Weeks overcame them in the semi-finals to meet each other in the final.

Kley eventually triumphed on the day, winning both the Dorset members and Dorset national under-18 trophies.

The mixed fours nationals and members’ competitions were also held with the Hazelbury Bryan team of Keith Honeybun, Lynn Dean, Gill Honeybun and Brian Baker picking up both trophies after a hard day’s competition.

The Dorset teams also met Devon with both sides needing to avenge heavy defeats from early in the month.

Dorset Premier won handsomely 26-14 with the three of the under-18s in Thomas, Michael Hall and Kley performing admirably.

The Dorset A team also secured a much closer victory with a 21-19 victory to make it a winning weekend all round.