CITY of Ely bowler Nick Brett matched his class with plenty of fighting spirit to clinch the English Champion of Champions title held at the Warner Leisure Hotel in Hampshire. Brett, who impressed at the recent World Indoor Championships, came through sev

CITY of Ely bowler Nick Brett matched his class with plenty of fighting spirit to clinch the English Champion of Champions title held at the Warner Leisure Hotel in Hampshire.

Brett, who impressed at the recent World Indoor Championships, came through several testing rounds to clinch a record third title win.

After a workmanlike first round 21-18 win over Blackpool's hi Chris Gale, he was in real trouble against Andrew Rendall from Somerset but with typical doggedness he regained control and ran out 21-19 winner.

In a gruelling semi-final encounter against Jamie Chestney the capacity crowd were treated to a real dog fight. Once again Brett found himself battling a strong comeback after Chestney came from 13-19 down to level at 19-19. But Brett responded with meticulous drawing bowls and when Chestney, two down, failed with his last running bowl it was all over.

The final could have been a banana skin for Brett coming up against 18-year-old Tom Bishop from Southampton but it was a step too far for the rising star as Brett used an impressive range of shots to run out 21-7 winner.

"It's great to set this record, particularly as it means my good friend Greg Harlow, who won it last year, is now one behind me" said Brett.