AFTER a seven-year wait, keen bowls players took to the green yesterday to take part in one of the region's most popular competitions.

Mike Priestman, Graham Peacock and skipper Stuart Clarke, of Hundens, were crowned champions of the game, beating 23 other teams to win the Quaker Bowls tournament, which is sponsored by The Northern Echo.

The Mayor and Mayoress of Darlington, councillors Roderick Francis and Isobel Hartley, presented the winning team with the silver trophy after play ended at the town's Eastbourne Sporting Complex.

The Quaker Bowls was launched in 1980, with up to 140 players taking part in the open singles tournament across eight greens in the borough, during its heyday.

Falling numbers and organisation difficulties caused the competition to lapse in 1997, much to people's disappointment.

Yesterday's revival, organised by Alan Cooper, was heralded a success, with the tournament becoming a game for mixed teams of three-players.

Mr Cooper said: "The first Quaker Bowl Open Triples Whistle Stop Tournament was a huge success, with a full complement of 24 teams."

A spell of rain did not deter participants, who attended from clubs in the Darlington area, as well as from Hartlepool, Leeholme, Spennymoor and Middleton St George.

After the five games group stage, the winners of each group played for first and second prize money and the runners-up of each group had a play-off for third and fourth places.

Ivor Shirley, 75, who was on the event's organisation committee until 1997, said the re-vamped game had been a joy to watch.

"The atmosphere has been absolutely fantastic - the whole thing has been a brilliant success and that is with great thanks to Alan," he said.

"He has worked hard to get the tournament back off the ground and he has succeeded. I hope it will continue for years to come."

Second place went to the Hartlepool Trio Alan Taylor, Terry Barnes and skipper Harry Doucherty. Other places went to: 3 Tony Lansdell, of Cummings; 4 Norma Stanwix, of Cockton Hill; 5 Brian Milner, of Bishop Auckland and 6 Gerry Mellor, of Cummings.