Newly-qualified veterans are a constant menace to players like Worthing's Peter Bartram.

At Bracknell, Bartram's bid for the men's semi-finals was thwarted by powerful Plymouth player Paul Giles, 40, who was making his debut as a veteran.

Bartram said: "New men on the block like Giles can turn the national ranking list on its head."

Nigel Eckersley, England No.4 veteran from Uckfield, is hoping to be seeded No.5 for the European Veterans' Championship starting on June 23 in Italy.

Eckersley said: "I was seeded five at the last European Championships so I am hoping for a similar spot but the number of Chinese veterans in European is rapidly increasing.

"Their presence could put me down the seedings list."

A bid by Hastings to reach the third stage semi-finals of the JM Rose Bowl failed at St Neots, Cambridge.

Without Sara Coggon, Hastings were beaten 5-2 by the Wirrall but Sussex champion Rose Rainton was unbeaten.