Ashby bowls 'em over to land top award.

Byline: Mike Wakelam

COVENTRY'S Graham Ashby was declared England's Bowler of the Year at the New Connaught Rooms, Central London, last night.

Ashby, from the Stoke club, who teamed up with his father Ken to win the All England Pairs at Worthing last year and who reached the All England Singles and Triples finals this summer, was presented with a magnum of champagne from the Times newspaper and a set of woods from Taylor Bowls.

BBC TV commentator David Rhys Jones, who made the presentation at the English Bowling Association's annual dinner, said: "Graham has proved he is here to stay as a top player and he was the unanimous choice of the panel to receive this richly deserved honour."

Waterloo and Warwickshire ladies champion Lynn Pritchatt is now displaying her skills in the Tanmill Indoor doubles league at Cannock.

Last season Lynn played with her father George in Division Three but due to his leg injury, the game's top lady crown green bowler had to seek a new partner for the new season and decided to turn to her mother Irene.

George is now out in the cold after the female twosome won five out six matches played so far, and are lying in second spot.

Among the Pritchatt's successes so far have been an easy 21-9 win over two of Staffordshire's top lady players Sue Pritchard and Beryl Benbow.

In addition, the Warwickshire couple clinched a similar scoreline against the male Staffordshire duo of Ken Sproston and John Bates.

Following those two wins, there was a further 21-19 success against Ron Hales and Lee Cavill plus a 21-17 victory over two other Staffordshire ladies Barbara Rainsbury and Carol Orme.

With prize money totalled pounds 675 on offer the competition is fierce no more so than in Division One where after six matches played, last year's champions Stuart Jones and Nick Newey are second from bottom having won only two matches. Pole position is held by Staffordshire County Merit champion Craig Barker and his partner Keith Carter who have won five matches with their latest success coming against former champions Mel Evans and John Turner 21-9.

After six matches in Division Two the top of the table spot is occupied by Dave Goddard and Kevin Blount who remain undefeated, their latest win a 21-5 thrashing over Alan Parsons and Derek Moore.

The draw for the 2000 Martell Senior Inter County championship sees W&W take on Cumbria in their opening game. Lancashire will be the Midlanders second opponent with a clash against the Potteries being the last fixture in the group.

Waterloo and Warwickshire ladies champion Lynn Pritchatt is now displaying her skills in the Tanmill Indoor doubles league at Cannock.

Last season Lynn played with her father George in Division Three but due to his leg injury the games top lady crown green bowler had to seek a new partner for the new season and decided to turn to her mother Irene. George is now out in the cold after the female twosome won five out six matches played so far, and are now lying in handy second spot.

Among the Pritchatt's successes so far have been an easy 21-9 win over two of Staffordshire's top lady players Sue Pritchard and Beryl Benbow. In addition, the Warwickshire couple clinched a similar scoreline against the male Staffordshire duo of Ken Sproston and John Bates.

Following those two wins, there was a further 21-19 success against Ron Hales and Lee Cavill plus a 21-17 victory over two other Staffordshire ladies Barbara Rainsbury and Carol Orme.

With prize money totalled pounds 675 on offer the competition is fierce no more so than in Division One where after six matches played, last year's champions Stuart Jones and Nick Newey are second from bottom having won only two matches. Pole position is held by Staffordshire County Merit champion Craig Barker and his partner Keith Carter who have won five matches with their latest success coming against former champions Mel Evans and John Turner 21-9.

After six matches in Division Two the top of the table spot is occupied by Dave Goddard and Kevin Blount who remain undefeated, their latest win a 21-5 thrashing over Alan Parsons and Derek Moore.

The draw for the 2000 Martell Senior Inter County championship sees W&W take on Cumbria in their opening game. Lancashire will be the Midlanders second opponent with a clash against the Potteries being the last fixture in the group.