IT'S Leamington here we come for Atherley after they qualified in style for the English Women's BA Top Club Championship national finals.

The Southampton club swept aside Clevedon Promenade 3-1 (79-73) to book their place in the last-eight play-offs at the home of English women's bowls over the weekend of September 27-28.

Jackie Mainwaring gave Atherley the perfect start with a 21-17 singles success against Moreen Sellars and she was backed by a 20-19 pairs win from Anne Pearce and Helen Phillips and the 22-12 triumph of Jean Arnaud, Patricia Rowe and Marion Collins in the triples.

Trailing 6-3 at five ends, Pearce and Phillips took a stranglehold on their game, racing 13-6 ahead by the tenth. After 15, they were 18-9 up but, in a dramatic finale, they squeezed in by just a single shot following a spirited comeback from their Bristol opponents.

As for the triples, Atherley suffered no palpitations. Collins and co were 7-0 in front following the fifth end and stretched that to 14-3 on the tenth against Lois Greeves,

Atherley's only defeat came in the fours where Gill Hayes, Jean Terrell, Joan Penfold and Wendy Line made a determined rally, losing 25-16 having been 22-6 adrift against Margaret Dyer at 15 ends.

With the Southampton and District Women's BA league title in the bag, Atherley showed what a memorable campaign they are having by carrying off four of the seven trophies at stake in the S&D finals on their own green - three of them going to Arnaud.

She beat club colleague Line in the two-wood singles, teamed up with Hayes and Mainwaring to land the triples and combined with Anne Pearce, Hilary Williams and Marion Collins for a convincing fours' victory.

Pearce took the other title in an all-Atherley contest for the William Day singles against the luckless Line.

The blue riband championship singles, however, went to Banister Park's county bowler, Jean Sait, who overcame Gill Dando (Waterside) in an epic match that was far closer than the scoreline suggests. Results:

Championship singles: Jean Sait (Banister Park) 23 Gill Dando (Waterside) 12.

William Day singles: Anne Pearce (Atherley) 21 Wendy Line (Atherley) 16.

Two-wood singles: Jean Arnaud (Atherley) beat Wendy Line (Atherley).

Championship pairs: Jenny Loftus and Christine Lee (Southampton Women) 26 Val Brown and Heather Clark (County) 16.

William Day pairs: Jos Havinga and Yvonne Bott (Mayfield Park) 20 Chris Hall and Chris Sullivan (Hedge End) 17.

Triples: Jean Arnaud, Gill Hayes, Jackie Mainwaring (Atherley) 18 Val Dibben, Kath Mason, Joan Ryan (Banister Park) 16.

Fours: Jean Arnaud, Anne Pearce, Hilary Williams, Marion Collins (Atherley) 26 Chris Howard, Mary Heard, Cora Ashford, Sue Herring, (Fleming Park).8.

Atherley are holding an open weekend for prospective new bowlers (men or women) to give the sport a try.

There will be free taster sessions on the indoor green at the Hill Lane club on Saturday evening, September 20 (6-9pm), and Sunday morning, September 21 (10am-1pm), when anyone can have a go. Bowls will be provided - and there's no need to worry about dress. A pair of flat-soled shoes to protect the bowling surface would be helpful but are not essential.

Age does not matter but youngsters under 16 should be accompanied by an adult. More details from club secretary Roger Stonham (023 8036 7132).