Bowls at county and national level is experiencing a worrying reduction in numbers.

Retiring secretary Rod Taylor said this to delegates at the 91st annual meeting of the Sussex County Bowling Association.

During the year the county lost two clubs, Brighton Segas and Eastbourne Royal Naval Old Comrades, due to falling memberships.

On the credit side Sussex welcomed three new clubs: Crawley Labour, Battle and Staplecross.

Reviewing the last season, Taylor said: "Not for the first time, several players who were originally selected subsequently dropped out and as this happened in most games it calls into question the commitment to the county of certain players."

Sussex have withdrawn from the Home Counties under-25s League. Taylor added: "With the benefit of hindsight it was felt that the league was a commitment that some of the youngsters, not to mention their parents who were providing the transport, could do without."

Life membership was conferred on Taylor and on Eddie Lendon, who retired after nine years as match secretary.

The Michael Newth Trophy for the outstanding clubman was awarded to Harvey Penfold, who joined Preston in 1974 and has been both president and secretary of both indoor and outdoor sections of that club. Divisional runner-up awards went to Arthur Butler (Spartans, Bexhill), Ken Hubble (Burgess Hill) and Stan Collison, of the Bognor club.

Tony Wilson, of the Eastbourne club, was elected president for the 2001 season with Rod Taylor (Horsham) senior deputy and Parry Payne (Rosemount) junior deputy.

Following the retirement of long serving Sussex team manager Gerry Bridger it has been decided not to appoint a successor. The teams for the Middleton Cup and Home Counties League will be chosen by a sub-committee consisting of the selectors and senior officers.

Taylor said: "Sussex have decided to turn the clock back and re-introduce a meaningful Middleton Cup trial of 48 or more players with places genuinely up for grabs."