HEREFORDSHIRE-based Rob Weale is preparing for a busy summer of bowls.

The former world indoor champion has already been selected to represent Wales in the World Championships, scheduled for Ayr, Scotland, in late July, and will compete in the pairs and fours.

Weale, who plays his outdoor bowls for Presteigne, and fellow team member William Thomas were part of the Wales rink who won the gold medal in the last World Championships, held in South Africa in 2000, and this year they will be joined by Neil Rees and David Wilkins.

In the pairs event Weale teams up with experienced international Jason Greenslade.

Prior to that he will be hoping to lead Wales as they defend the team title in the British Isles International series at Llandrindod Wells, starting on June 27, with the team to be announced shortly after a couple of trial matches.

His place should be assured after leading his country to success in last year's outdoor series, followed by a similar role in the indoor series.

If he plays in the three matches against England, Ireland and Scotland, he will become Wales' most capped player with 77 appearances, beating the previous mark of 75.

Whatever the outcome of selection for the team series, he will be playing at Llandrindod in the British Isles Champions competition when he joins his brothers, David, Brian and Stuart, in the fours event as the current Wales champions.

This will be the fifth time that the Weale family has represented Wales in the event.

On the first occasion in 1984, father Bill Weale was a member of the quartet, but in the subsequent years, youngest brother Stuart has played his way into the team.

Gareth Wills, Hereford-shire's other Wales international, will not be available for selection for the forthcoming series due to family commitments.

n Kington extended their unbeaten run in the Nash Rock Bowls League to five matches with a solid away win at Kingsland.

They now head the table with 66 points, 34 in front of Hereford in second place.

Kingsland, however, moved up to fourth place behind Wellington when they beat St Martins in a match earlier this week

Hereford, who have a game in hand over Kington, gained a tight two-shot away victory at Hay, even though they won three rinks out of four. Hereford's rinks all won by narrow margins and Hay almost turned the match with their only winning rink picking up 10 shots.

Weobley posted their first win at the third attempt, pulling off another close game. This time it was Hereford's turn to nearly turn the match with a solitary winning rink to counter Weobley's three winning rinks, but the target proved too big and they went down by four shots.

Results: Kingsland 92, St Martin's 70 (home rinks W2 D1 L1); Hay 69, Hereford 71 (W1 L3); Kingsland 66, Kington 87 (W1 L3); Weobley 89, Hereford 85 (W3 L1).

n Knighton recovered from a 20-shot defeat to Spa Bowlers to beat Mid Wales League leaders Brecon by eight.

Knighton 57 Spa Bowlers 77 (skip scores): G Moorhouse 18, A Stephens 15; G Sharp 10, H Edwards 16; R Morgan 20, J Cole 16; R Butler 9, D Rodgers 30.

Knighton 72, Brecon 64: G Sharp 15, A Wilcocks 13; M Davies 13, R Ahrens 17; R Morgan 14, P Ryan 20; G Moorhouse 30, D Powell 14.