STAFFORDSHIRE women failed to reach the knockout stages of this year's British County Championship after they suffered a shock defeat to Dudley and District.

Last year's runners-up in Blackpool led their qualifying group going into the match, but the 33-point home leg advantage they took from Florence Private was never going to be enough to progress.

They eventually went down by 25 points overall after their away team lost by 58 at Romsley Bowling Club.

MIDDLEPORT Park bowler Nicky Tideswell crashed out at the last-16 stage of the All-England Championships in Fleetwood.

The 31-year-old Potteries Individual Merit winner was beaten by Sheffield's Richard Howson.

The title was won by Stockport's Noel Burrows, 34 years after he won his first All-England crown.

Other local scores (first round): Alan Davidson 21, Joe Melvin 19; Andy Spragg 21, Mark Melvin 18; Simon Trentham 21, Kerry Morris 16; Scott Fisher 21, Andy Ferris 20.

SEVERAL Congleton bowlers did well at the week-long Fleetwood Festival.

Kevin Boon pushed Gary Ellis, the eventual winner of the main competition, all the way in their semi-final match before losing 21-14.

Dave Lunn lost 21-20 to Rich Goddard (Shrewsbury) in the Fleetwood Shield, but John Chetwood won the men's consolation knock-out competition.

THE Cheshire county team are the new national crown green veterans champions after they beat Shropshire by 14 points in the final at Severnside Bowling Club in Shrewsbury.

Their team included South Cheshire bowlers Mick Hall, Peter Kelly, Bob Worrall and Colin Woodward.

THE final qualifying matches for the James Birks Open take place tomorrow at Florence Private (6.30pm).

To report: J Hignett, P Djuranovic, P Higginson, M Evans, L Pritchatt, P Owen, G Owen, A Owen , A Bailey, K Williamson, C Wraight, C Flatley, M Ledwidge, A Steele, A Lloyd, D Stanway.

Second round scores: P Fallows 21, J Towey 15; A Boulton 21, D Smallman 17; P Burndred 21, H Fallows 17; C Ward 21, M Fallows 20.

STAFFORDSHIRE meet Warwickshire and Worcestershire in the semi-finals of the British Crown Green Bowls Association County Championship in Birmingham tomorrow (2pm).

North Midlands host Greater Manchester in the second semi, with the winners meeting in the final on September 5.

THE Bert Lewis over-60s merit final takes place on August 9.

The venue has yet to be confirmed.

Three Clough Hall players make up the last four.

Draw: Brian Clarence (Clough Hall) v Harry Walklet (Trent Vale); Mick Harvey (Clough Hall) v Reg Holt (Clough Hall).

SILVERDALE Bowling Club hold their annual mixed doubles competition tomorrow, starting at 10am.

QUALIFYING for the British Crown Green Ladies' Junior Merits takes place at Milton Recs tomorrow, starting at 1pm.

Line-up: Amber Adams (Fegg Hayes); Caitlin Austin (Knypersley);

Leanne Evans (Knypersley);

Samantha Holland (Florence T&B); Emma Scragg (Leek BC); Katie Scragg (Leek BC); Samantha Shallcross (Knypersley).

THE final of the Nancy Hackwood tournament takes place at Leek Bowling Club tomorrow (2pm).

Draw: Elsie Alcock (Leek Park); Sandra Bradbury (Milton Hayes); Jane Dumigan (Burslem CC); Kerry Evans (Milton Hayes); Sue Mumford (Fegg Hayes); Linda Piciariello Creda); Sylvia Rushton (Burslem Suburban); Elizabeth Wright (Milton Recs).

THE latest matches in the Sentinel Charities Birks Trophy take place next Friday, August 6 (6.30pm)

Draw: Birches Head Hotel v Milton Recs 2 at Miltion Hayes; Westlands (off 10) v Fegg Hayes at Wolstanton Marsh; Florence T&B v Leek Park (off 15) at Kingsley; Bucknall Private v Creda 2 (off 20) at Knypersley.