SOMETHING was missing when Riverside celebrated their promotion from Division 2 of the Hampshire League during the club's presentation evening.

A record gathering of 140 members and guests congratulated the team at their Winchester headquarters - but the triumphant bowlers have no trophy to show for their efforts.

This was the first season the county league has been divided into two divisions and, though champions Rushmoor collect the Trisham Trophy, there is no silverware for the runners-up.

Riverside hope a cup may be donated later in the year, either by the county or a benefactor and they would be only too pleased to receive it retrospectively.

Hampshire president David Spence thought it unlikely that a cup would be forthcoming but, if it is any consolation to Riverside, the Division 1 runners-up are not awarded a trophy either.

All may not be not lost, however, because, during the executive meeting that follows the county's annual meeting on Sunday, May 19, at Atherley there will be discussions regarding a backer for the league and, if the sponsor signs up, more trophies could be provided.

For the meantime, Riverside will have to content themselves with the satisfaction of a job well done and the prospect of rubbing shoulders with the Hampshire elite in Division 1 next winter.

Richard Moore and Janet Williamson both staged late comebacks to become Riverside's club champions. Moore trailed 20-17 before pipping Tom Branton 21-20 while Williamson was 19-16 down until beating Barbara Pilling 21-19.

Councillor John Steel, deputy mayor of Winchester, presented trophies for the season, aided by Riverside president John Farley and Mark Savidge.

Prizewinners: men's singles: Richard Moore (runner-up Tom Branton); men's pairs: Luke Young, Ernie Scase (John Kirby, Bill Allen); ladies' singles: Janet Williamson (Barbara Pilling); ladies' pairs: Joyce Hamblin, Christine Doig (Pat Wakeford, Dot Tosdevine); mixed drawn pairs: Fred Onslow, Christine Doig (Sandy Tingey, Graham Darlison); mixed triples: Dennis Fowler, Mary Heard, Jim Heard (Ann Bates, Ruth Allen, Eddie Bates); mixed fours: Ann Clarkson, Harry Dobson, Joyce Hamblin, George Doig (Bill Allen, Ruth Allen, Ann Bates, Eddie Bates).