TRAILBLAZERS are the Afternoon Mixed League champions for the third time in a row at Wellington Bowling Club having seen off a solid challenge from several sides.

Hopefuls came second, Eagles third and Blackbirds were fourth with eight teams fighting it out through the winter months.

In their last game of the season on Friday, March 20, Ian Hollingsworth, Steve Bradnum, Angie Moore and Tony Gibson's Trailblazers were up against Rosemary Small, Thelma Helps, Diana Dagg and David Dagg's Yzeds. The Trailers set off at a terrific pace to lead 8-0 after just two ends, and sadly for the Yzeds, things did not improve as the game went on. They did all they could but Trailblazers were on top form, winning the game and the championship by 23 shots to four.

Sue Perry, Steve Horrill, Richard Manning and Darren Sparks' Hopefuls led 4-2 early in their game against the Blackbirds who consisted of Monica Carter, David Harrison, Ian Stewart and Arthur Carter, but it soon began to change as the Blackbirds overtook and pulled ahead to win 12-7.

The match between the Eagles and the Badgers was also very closely-fought. There was nothing between the teams to begin with, but Wendy Scott, Brian Wombwell, Dave Bridger and Peter White's Badgers picked up a very valuable five shots in the seventh end and it made a big difference to the game. Janet Lovell, Roger Murphy, Ken Brown and Steve Lovell's Eagles did all they could, but their opponents eventually prevailed 16-9.

Reg Deem, John Stephens, Ron Elston and Ernie Windsor's Demons found themselves in a really tight match against Raymond White, Vera White, Martyn Beed and Phil Harris's Ninchers, and although there was little between them, the former pinched it on the line, 12 shots to 10.