GARETH Wills defied a broken knuckle in his bowling hand to reach the quarter-finals of the Wales Indoor Bowling Association Under-25 singles championships.

The Hereford bowler, who plays for Radnorshire during the winter indoor season, suffered his injury in an accident at home and was apprehensive about competing.

"Rather than scratch from the tournament, I decided at the last minute to give it a try and removed the splint and taped two fingers together," said Wills.

"It meant changing my delivery action but, after an initial period of discomfort, I bowled very well."

He beat Phil Russell (Sealand) 21-16 in the first round, and then booked his place in the quarter-finals with a 21-17 win over David Pugh (Severn Valley).

To advance to the semi-finals he must beat David Axon (Cardiff) at Port Talbot on January 18.

l Leominster Indoor club have reached the zone semi-finals of the Egham Trophy.

It is Leominster's most successful run in the national, two-rink, home and away competition, and they now face Mid-Glouster this Sunday.

They have pipped Oxfordshire-based Carterton 76-75, and defeated Cotswold 96-68 and Worcestershire club Perdiswell 84-67 to reach this stage of the prestigious competition.