BOWLS - Marchant to captain his country

That is why Hampshire Liberty Trophy regular Matthew Marchant has extra reason to look forward to 2006, let alone 2005.

The 23-year-old Victory lead has been a regular for England under-25s since the age of 16. He has retained his place for this season's British Isles Junior International Series in Scotland on January 15-16 but in view of his long service he will captain the side in 12 months' time - his last season at under-25 level.

Despite his junior appearances, Marchant has yet to break into the senior England team but he is not far from the selectors' thoughts as he discovered by being drafted into the senior trial at the 11th hour after several of the original squad chosen for Northampton dropped out.

It was his fourth senior trial - and his first since 2000 - and though he does not expect to be chosen for their BIIS at Belfast in March, he is happy to at least be back in the senior picture.

Playing alongside Wey Valley trio Paul Coleman, Chris Young and skip Ian Meyer from Guildford, Marchant gave good account of himself. Although his rink lost their opening game 11-2 to Andy Thomson, they drew 7-7 with Ian Bond and then beat fellow Hampshire bowler Martyn Sekjer 9-3.

Marchant said: "I am delighted at being chosen to captain the under-25s, but it would be lovely to play for the senior team as well.

"The last time I had a senior trial four years ago I played really well and didn't get in but I have certainly not given up hope, so it was good to be back in the frame at Northampton."

Hampshire's top junior girl, Claire Spreadbury, has retained her place in the England under-25 team for their Home International series in Aberdeen on the same weekend as the men's junior tournament.

The former world under-25 champion from Loddon Vale plays at number three in a rink skipped by Katrina Jones (Desborough, Maidenhead).

Lucy Beere from the Isle of Wight, who first represented her country in 2001, skips one of the four England rinks.