At the age of 76, Bill Smsithers was the oldest of the 320 players in the four events at the English Indoor championships at Melton Mowbray but he was by no means the weakest link.

In fact Bill was brilliant with his drawing as he helped Worthing collegaues Steve Hawkes, Eric Pidgeon and Keith Cruise to two victories in an eight hour period with only a 30-minute break the two games in the fours championship.

Despite hobbling as a result of a replacement knee operation and a foot injury, Smithers showed up many of the young players who now dominate the game.

Worthing beat Cotswold 24-10 and then Avon Valley 26-12 in a day of triumph, but after a late night finish and an early morning start they never clicked in the quarter-finals and lost 20-10 after 19 ends to eventual winners Kingsthorpe.

Retired printer Hawkes, who celebrated his 54th birthday on the day of the two victories, was appearing at the nationals for the second time, having reached the triples semi-finals with Brian Pryce and John Dicker in 1993.

Retired research chemist Pidgeon (57) was making his debut in the championships while retired electrical engineer Cruise (58) played in the triples at the 1993 championships with Mick Law and Ian Puddick when he was a member of Grattons.

Ralph Lonsdale, Ted Cousins, Mick Law and Simon Pettingel, of Grattons, started well in the first round against son and father Dan and John Evans, Grif Sanders and England star Danny Denison of Torquay United.

Ahead 3-0 after three ends, Grattons then got stuck, dropping 2,4,6,3 to go 15-3 down. They eventually bowed out on the 18th, beaten 27-12.

In the triples, Peter Delonnette, Graham Lavender and Ron Packham, of Falaise, faced tough first round opponents in Mark Bantock, Ron Sampson and Robert Newman, all England internationals of Whiteknights.

Delonnette has made numerous visits to the nationals, Packham was on his third trip and Lavender making his debut.

On rink number eight the ditch side was particularly tricky but the skills of the Whiteknights trio had the edge. They took a three shot lead after six ends and went on to win 19-9. Falaise held shots but seldom kept them.

"We never appeared likely to win but I enjoyed the game and Newman was so laid back it was a joy to play against him" said Packham.

He added: "We got to the last 32 in the country so that was an achievement in itself."