Darlington bowlers have suffered a double disappointment in national competitions.

The Morrison Centre duo of Ann Anderson and Alan Moore went down 24-143 to their York opponents at Selby in the Inter Area Final of the National Mixed Pairs.

Then, at York, the Darlington pair were joined by Margaret Shaw and Andrew Kirtland at the same stage of the mixed fours and were beaten by Hull 22-8.

In the National Father and Son Championship finals at Gedling, the Thornaby pairing of Ken Skipp and his son, Glenn, reached the semi-finals.

But they went down 19-15 to the Bretts, of Huntingdon, who went on to take the title.

Nick Brett, the son, a junior international indoors and out, was no stranger to the winners' podium.

He is the only rinksman to hold the English Bowling Association and English Bowling Federation Under-25 Championships in the same year.

He seems to have a liking for Northern opposition, having won the EBA title when he beat Durham's Davie Bolt in the 1998 final and Dale Bullock, of Northumberland, in the EBF event.

There was success, however, for Durham County Juniors, who have reached the final of the English Bowling Association Under-25 Double Rinks Championship.

The Durham squad followed up on their success over defending champions Nottinghamshire with a semi-final victory over Norfolk at Lincoln.

The Durham rinks were: Marc Squirrell, James Dykes, Carl Higgins and Davie Bolt (skip); David Sykes, Paul Northam, Paul Smithson and Shaun McIntosh (skip).

Today sees the start of the Warner Holidays Champion of Champions singles event at Hayling Island.

Durham's hopes of success rest with experienced England international John Leeman, of Stanley, and Sunderland's junior international, Davie Bolt.

While the Wearside youngster seeks his first indoor title, Leeman has an excellent record.

He was the inaugural winner of the Champion of Champions event in 1985 and went on to win the Under-31 singles title at Hartlepool.

In 1996 he joined with Stanley team-mates Ian Peacock and Chris Palmer to win the EIUBA Triples Championship, and a year later the triumphant trio were joined by Eddie Henry to captaure the fours crown.