DORSET are celebrating after reaching the semi-finals of the Walker Cup at Royal Leamington Spa.

They booked their ticket to the Mecca of English women’s bowls on August 12 by winning the regional play-offs at Taunton.

They beat Worcestershire 38-31 in the morning semi-final thanks to a 19-15 victory from Sally Rowe (Broadstone-Wessex) and the Blandford trio of Freda Yates, Joan Collier and Jenny Andrews and the 19-16 success of Julie Leake (Poole Park), Margaret Crawford (Greenhill ), Lyn Howard (Broadstone-Wessex) and Poole Park skip Penny Cresswell.

Against Wiltshire in the afternoon Cresswell’s 30-8 triumph outweighed the 31-15 defeat suffered by Andrews as Dorset went through to the nationals 45-39.

Andrews, Yates and Cresswell are the only survivors from 2007 when Dorset last qualified for Leamington in the Walker Cup, bowing out in the semi-finals.

Reaching the nationals will give county ladies’ president Gloria Dendy the excuse to air her exquisite hat again. The Blandford member was the talk of the green when she wore her unique creation five years ago and the titfer is already being dusted off in preparation for the big day.

The draw for this season’s finals is due to be made – but Hampshire missed out after losing 36-35 to Kent in their regional semi-final at Popes Mead, Sussex.

International Leake is now through to the nationals in four competitions. Besides the Walker Cup she has qualified for the four-wood singles, pairs and fours by reaching the county finals of those competitions.

Dorset qualifiers for Leamington – Singles: Julie Leake (Poole Park); Kath Desmond (Greenhill). Two-woods: Margaret Crawford (Greenhill); Wendy Hardy (Poole Park). Pairs: Chris Sexton and Margaret Wilson (Wimborne); Julie Leake and Penny Cresswell (Poole Park). Triples: Pam Fordham, Sally Rowe, Lyn Howard (Broadstone-Wessex); Diana Towndrow, Liz Ritchie, Margaret Ridd (Greenhill). Fours: Ann Walford, Wendy Hardy, Julie Leake, Penny Cresswell (Poole Park); Sally Burton, Joyce Steele, Liz Males, Freda Yates (Blandford).