BEN Riley created his own piece of short-mat bowls history by becoming the youngest winner of a Dorset county singles title at the age of 14.

Riley had been beaten by Brian Baker in the group stages but gained revenge in the final with victory over the same opponent.

The teenager lifted the winner’s trophy and will now represent the county at the National Finals in Derbyshire in April.

Thirty-two bowlers from the county descended on the Dorset Bowls Resort to contest the county singles – this number included all seven of Dorset’s contingent from the England Under-21 squad.

They were placed in eight groups of four with the winners and runners-up proceeding to the last 16.

A number of fancied players, including Emily Thomas, Dave Redfern and Steve Stanton were knocked out, however, of the under-18s, Riley and Alex Kley made the cut.

Riley’s triumph over county singles player Robert Martin was the highlight of this round.

The youngster then went on to overcome John Beckford (Hazelbury Bryan), Dave Glennerster (Wool) beat Sam Harvey (Heatherlands), Martin Chant (Hazelbury Bryan) defeated Lynn Dean (Hazelbury Bryan) and Baker got the better of June Balbinski (Cerne Abbas).

In the semi-finals, Baker won a close game against last year’s members champion Glennerster and Riley beat Chant. And in a repeat of the first game in Group Seven, Riley recorded a fine win over Baker.