MEMBERS of the Kent short mat bowls premier team have won the English Championship for the fifth time. The team, based at Downs-wood Community Centre at Maidstone, beat Hampshire 25-11 in the final at Northampton after accounting for West Midlands 28-8 in the semi-final.

The team manager is Ted Messer, who has now become the English manager. The Kent A team made it a county double by beating old enemies Norfolk 24-12 in the final after eliminating Devon 27-9 in the semi-final. Their home venue is the Snodland Community Centre.

Kent: Jody Frampton, Tim Rycraft, Steve Barratt, Cliff Henry, Babs Morokutti, Richard Nicoll, Nicola Ramsden, Mark Wiedeholz, Len Frampton, David Player, Vic Streater, Andrew Connors, Gary Allard, Michele Carpenter, Jim Gittens, Richard Stagg, Reg Wager, Pat Gittens, Thomas Coles, Burt Allard.

A team: Frank Davis, Bryan Smith, Graham Nobbs, Andrew Player, Dennis Prescott, Jeff Vanns, Ron Wilson, Mo Pitchley, Trevor Burt, Ray Anns, Alan Stroud, Keith Corby, Natha Wells, Derek Ford,Gwen Norris, Dick Stagg, Mick Spurgeon, Lee Smith, Sue Smith, Neil Norris. Manager: Phil Ramsden.