HAMPSHIRE bowlers Eddie Bates and Ron Curtis are one step away from qualifying for the national stages of the English Indoor BA over-60s' singles championship.

Bates, who reached the national semi-finals last winter, battled through to the Area 31 final by coming from 14-12 down to beat Danny McEwan (Banister Park) 21-15.

The Riverside bowler now faces Bob Tappin (East Dorset) at neutral Atherley, the prize for the winner being a ticket to Nottingham where the final 32 will play off for the national title in February.

Curtis from Palmerston is through to the Area 32 final where he tackles Dave Thomas (Worthing Pavilion) at Victory on Saturday.

In Area 32 of the EIBA fours championship Dennis Wren of Palmerston defeated Ron Smithers (Worthing Pavilion) 23-8 to book a fourth-round date with Adrian Ash (Victory) while Ian Purton, also Palmerston, overcame Nick Dudman (Worthing Pavilion) 19-13 to set up a clash with Mike Howard (Worthing Field Place).

In the area semi-finals of the mixed pairs, Russell Gadd and D Walton from Palmerston meet Steve Robertson and Liz Compton (Victory), and in the mixed fours semi-finals Pat Rye, Val Cooper, Terry Rye and Neil O'Donovan fly the Palmerston flag against John Dicker (Worthing FP).

A big shock in the singles was the 21-6 defeat suffered by Liberty Trophy regular Peter Hobday (Victory) against Brian Dunne (Worthing FP).

Area quarter-final draw: Matthew Marchant (Victory) or Tom Campbell (Worthing FP) v John Schools (Worthing FP), Iain McKenzie (Victory) v Brian Brown (Victory), Brian Dunne (Worthing FP) v Charlie Bailey (Victory), Dorian Bishop (Victory) v Steve Robertson (Victory).