IT WILL be a proud moment not only for the bowlers but also for four Palmerston pioneers when the junior men's British Isles International Series is played at the Fareham club this weekend.

Ever since the idea of building an indoor bowls club at Fareham was mooted 18 years ago it was the dream of the founding fathers that one day the new facility would host international matches.

On Saturday morning that ambition will be realised - and none will be happier than Palmerston company chairman Bill Bowshell, his wife Rene, deputy chairman Norman Evans-Rohrs and company secretary Keith Newman, the four members who remain from that original visionary team.

To date Palmerston - opened in 1997 - has hosted the Denny Cup and Denny Plate finals, an England ladies' friendly against the Hampshire Liberty Trophy side and the southern area junior men's England trial - but this weekend is the highlight as far as the club are concerned.

The series brings together the cream of young bowling talent from the four Home Countries with world, British Isles and a host of national champions in action.

The strength of each nation's bowls teams for the next decade will be assessed as England, Ireland, Scotland and Wales meet in a round-robin competition, won for the last three seasons by Scotland.

England have not been men's under-25 champions since they last staged the series in 2000 at Harlow - and buoyed by the selection of Hampshire duo Paul May of Banister Park and Victory's Matthew Marchant, they will be looking to take advantage of their home venue again to lift the trophy in front of their supporters.

On the back of winning the world under-25 singles title in Jersey during the autumn, 19-year-old Simon Jones wins his first cap and joins Desborough (Maidenhead) clubmate Neil Davies in a strong England line-up.

Scotland, however, will be hard to knock off their perch. Although introducing four new caps, their side includes experienced skips Neil Spiers and Mike Stepney, both senior international team players.

Current British Isles junior singles champion Jonathan Tomlinson from Port Talbot leads the Welsh challenge while no doubt keeping a watchful eye on younger brother Ross who leads for Gareth Thomas's rink.

Having promised so much over the last few years, Wales will be looking to Thomas, Jonathan Tomlinson and team captain Kevin Wall, all regular senior internationals, to provide the inspirational leadership needed to claim their first title.

And don't discount the boys from the Emerald Isle. For years Ireland have been the whipping boys of international bowls but all that could change as they show signs of becoming a much tougher outfit under the guidance of new team manager Roy McCune.

"Palmerston is a wonderful venue and we expect a large crowd each day," said Brian Davies, secretary of the British Isles Indoor BA. "Competition will be intense and the quality of play will rank alongside other sporting occasion between the four Home Countries."

Play starts on Saturday morning (10am) followed by second-round matches in the afternoon. Final games begin at 9.45am on Sunday. Entry to the bowls arena is by programme (£1.50) which can be obtained from Palmerston (phone: 01329 232005) or, if space available, on sale at the door.

Read the Daily Echo every Thursday for more Bowls news from David Briers.