PETER Ward's consolation after losing in the quarter-finals of the English Indoor BA singles was that his conqueror Paul Coleman went on to become national champion.

Ward also pushed Coleman harder than anyone else at Melton Mowbray, the Hampshire Liberty Trophy skip going down 21-20 after leading the Surrey man 19-16 in an epic contest that did not finish until 10.45pm.

Ward was honest enough to admit that the better man had won: "I was 8-3 up but after that I was just hanging on. I managed to bring off some good conversion shots scoring singles after being two or three down which frustrated him but overall he had a much better feel for the pace of the green and really he deserved to win. In fact he was playing so well that I thought if he beats me he could go on and win the title."

Within two shots of victory the former Atherley skip now with East Dorset had visions of a first-ever singles' semi-final place but Coleman levelled at 19-19. Ward inched ahead but at 20-19 there was drama with a tied end before Coleman swooped with a two.

Ward had opened with a 21-7 success against Rae Graham (Cumbria) and next toppled Mark Curtis (Bedford) 21-16. Coleman, from the Wey Valley club, overcame Graham Smith (Lincolnshire) 21-6 in the semi-final and outgunned the 1992 and 1994 champion Mervyn King from Norfolk 21-16 in the final.