Bob Daw won the best men's singles final at Yarmouth for many years to condemn Stephen Ellis to more heartbreak yesterday.The St Lawrence bowler beat his NorthWalsham opponent 21-18 in a thrilling match that had a good-sized crowd captivated.

Bob Daw won the best men's singles final at Yarmouth for many years to condemn Stephen Ellis to more heartbreak yesterday.

The St Lawrence bowler beat his NorthWalsham opponent 21-18 in a thrilling match that had a good-sized crowd captivated.

Ellis lost at the same stage in the prestigious event last year, but had the consolation of playing his full part in the Aylsham Bathroom and Kitchen Centre sponsored final.

Ellis made a good start, leading 7-3, but Daw fought back to lead 9-8. Ellis then scored an excellent 4-3, only for Daw to hit back immediately with a 3-3-1 to hold the one-shot advantage still. Ellis won the next two ends to lead 18-16 but Daw then drew some brilliant first woods to be crowned champion.

A very good crowd had gathered at 9am to see if Mark Royal, Stowmarket, could claim another title. Royal met County Arts' Mark Turner in a humdinger of a game. At 9-8 to Royal Turner scored a 2-4-1-1 to go ahead 16-9 and he extended this to 20-14. Like a true champion Royal fought back to 20-18 before dropping the single to give Turner an excellent win, 21-18.

Ellis was in complete control of his game with Honingham's Bernie Perrett, losing only four ends in his 22-4 victory.

In their semi-final Turner started slowly against Ellis and was 9-1 and then 15-4 down. He then found his line and length to come back to be only 18-16 down but Ellis was not to be denied and won 21-16.

The 1997 winner, Nottingham's David Baird, flew into a 9-0 lead over NBC's Chris Willgress, who fought back superbly to lead 15-14. But his form then deserted him, allowing Baird back into the game to win 21-15.

North Walsham's Chris Ward trailed Daw 7-2 but came back well and with a fine run of form went in front 20-13, needing one shot to win this quarter-final. Ward found this impossible to score as Daw scored eight shots over the next five ends to record an impressive win. The semi-final saw Daw produce another stunning display to beat Baird 21-8.

The EDP's sponsored ladies triples has new champions this year. The strong trio from North Walsham, Sheringham and Manchester of Margaret Hannant, Ann Rolph and Arlene Colbourne beat Molly Auld, Fay Moll and Janet Church, Acle and Freethorpe 25-7. In the other semi-final North Walsham's Val Smith, Ann Adams and Carol Neave scored a two on the final end to beat Filby's Joy Barber, Jean Rose and Jean Carter 23-22 in a tense encounter.

In the final Smith, Adams and Neave, with two fours, led Hannant, Rolph and Colbourne 10-6 but were pegged back to 13-13 with four ends to play. These four ends were keenly contested, with the Walsham team 16-14 up with one end to go, and they held on to lift the trophy 18-14.