BOWLS - After a brother and sister final in Herefordshire under-18 short mat bowls earlier in the season, which Karen Skyrme won, both Karen and brother Nigel, qualified for the next stage to play in the national competition against other counties qualifiers. At the Daventry Leisure Centre in Northamptonshire, Karen got off to a great start winning 15-6 although Nigel lost 11-7 in his first game but came back well in the other games to qualify for the second round. Karen matched the bowling skills of her opponents but was unfortunate to miss out on qualifying by losing a game by one shot, 7-6, and this after a measure. In his second round game, 14-year-old Nigel was against an experienced player and lost after a commendable performance.