JULIE Saunders has realised a lifetime's ambition by being chosen for her England debut in this month's home internationals.

Winning the national singles' title at Royal Leamington Spa last August guaranteed the Hampshire champion an England trial and she grasped the opportunity with both hands in front of the selectors to book her place in the team heading for Scotland on June 17-23.

The strength of bowls in Hampshire is reflected by the fact that Saunders is joined in the England squad by her county colleagues Gill Mitchell and Elizabeth Messer.

Both Mitchell (Richmond Park) and Messer (Southbourne) are already seasoned internationals and are delighted to be named again, with Mitchell at number two to Huntingdonshire skip Catherine Popple and Messer being included as a travelling reserve.

Saunders one of four new caps leads for experienced Buckinghamshire skip Mary Price, with another debutante Carole McLean (Yorkshire) at two and Jayne Roylance (Norfolk) at three.

Saunders, of Richmond Park, was already assured of playing in Ayrshire because, as national champion, she represents England in the British Isles singles. Now the Hampshire threesome will travel there determined to regain the Home International crown currently held by Scotland.

l Hazel Marke is Hampshire's first qualifier for this season's English Women's BA Championships. The Emsworth member went through to Leamington Spa on August 10 by winning the Champion of Champion singles at Banister Park.

In the final she beat Rosemary Corney (Whitchurch) 21-10. Marke overcame Jill Cook (Lee-on-the-Solent) 21-18 in the semi-final while Corney was accounting for Kath Patrick (Milton Park) 21-8.