HAMPSHIRE'S Darren Griffith will have grand ideas in the national finals of the Warner Holidays Champion of Champions singles next month.

The Isle of Wight under-25 international will be one of 16 bowlers chasing the top prize of £1,000 plus a Warners holiday in the showdown at Hayling Island on March 24-25.

Griffith, whose yellow woods were described as "beach balls" by ungracious Kent skip Gordon Charlton during last weekend's Liberty Trophy quarter-final, earned one of the two qualifying places in the South Area 2 finals at Palmerston. The other successful bowler was Egham international Barry Jenkins who ruined the hopes of Atherley's Mick Barrett 21-15 in the third round.

Griffith overcame Paul Vamvacopoulos (Wey Valley) 21-14, Paul Anderson (Herga) 21-13 and Clive Bunford (Bournemouth) 21-9.

Banister Park's Danny McEwan bowed out 21-20 in the first round to S Maxted of Mole Valley who fell 21-15 in the next round to Barrett.

Besides ending Barrett's prospects Jenkins also beat another Hampshire player in Colin Hayward (Victory) 21-12.

Hayward, a reserve for last weekend's Liberty Trophy match, was not at Camberley.

He told team manager Peter Line he no longer wants to be considered for Liberty selection after being dropped for the Kent clash.

Simon Doig, winner of the Area 31 under-25 singles title this winter, is joining Fleming Park this summer along with his talented Riverside colleague Luke Young.

Another bowler linking up with the County Club knock-out champions is John Davis from Eastleigh Rail.

Palmerston beat Atherley 29-20 in a junior friendly over 15 ends, the Fareham club winning both rinks.

Elaine Cullen, Andy Taylor, Chris Werren and skip Ben Settle defeated Thomas Bishop, Katie Radford, Jamie Lawson and skip Andrew Snook 18-11 while Luke Weston, Josh Brown, Russell Cameron and skip Lee Trowen pipped Carly Bishop, Hannah Collins, Jamie Parker and Mark Radford 11-9.