BOWLS

PARTIALLY-SIGHTED bowler Paul Hawkes claimed a bronze medal in the UK Indoor Singles Championships in Ayr, Scotland.

The Chingford Bowls Club member - who has won over 100 medals and trophies in his 19 years in the sport - performed well in the eight-man tournament which saw two competitors each from England, Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland.

After winning his opening game 21-2, Hawkes went on to win five of his seven matches.

But after losing to the silver medallist, he was on the wrong end of a 21-2 defeat to overall winner Harry Harris, who took the title in his home town.

“I had a bad game against him. On the day I just didn't perform,” admitted Hawkes.

“I'm a little bit disappointed in that sense but I'm still happy to claim a medal.”

Hawkes' next big challenge comes during a busy weekend in Blackpool in November, where he will play in an international friendly against Israel before competing in the Indoor Triples Open.

The 43-year-old and partners Nancy Cheeseman and Terry Matthews, both from Yeovil, finished runners-up last year and will be looking to go one better this time around.