BRISTOL gears up for a new influx of ambitious bowlers today, when members of the Professional Bowls Association (PBA) bid for a place in the World Indoor Singles Championship, which will be staged at Potters Leisure Resort in Norfolk in January.

Among those having a tilt at the title are Torquay's sensational teenager Sam Tolchard, who won three gold medals in last month's Bowls England national championships in Worthing.

While Tolchard, who hails from a famous cricketing family, faces Carlisle's Janice Gower in the first round, his Devon team-mate Danny Denison has been drawn to play Clevedon veteran Margaret Dyer.

Among the favourites to qualify are Exeter postman Robert Paxton, who reached the semi-finals of the world event in 2005, Cotswold star Steve Knight, who had a good run last year, and Hampshire's Adam Tidby.

Bristol's hopes will be carried by Somerset champion Jason Sparkes, Ryan Collier and Paul Brown, while last year's runner-up in the women's world indoor singles championship, Debbie Stavrou, is also in the field.

Meanwhile, Clevedon's Pip Branfield, fresh from his triumph in the national outdoor fours championship, makes a trip to Bodelwyddan Castle in North Wales, where the Warner Holidays British senior team title is up for grabs.

Branfield plays third to Martyn Sekjer, with Graham Standley and Mick Sharpe at the front end, as England take on Ireland this morning and Wales this afternoon, before completing their programme tomorrow with what could be a vital clash with Scotland.

North Wilts Bowls club are the Warner Leisure Hotels Champions of Champions after they beat a team from Hatfield yesterday.

The Chippenham-based side went into to the final end of 12 leading 8-6, where they added a further shot to finish up 9-6 winners.

The team, made up of skip Keith Hutchings, Barry Frieman, Derek Millard and lead Michael Clough, picked up £3,000, the highest prize money available outside of the professional circuit.