OXFORDSHIRE bowls ace Les Gillett suffered an agonising 21-20 defeat in a dramatic EBA Championships singles final at Worthing.

The Banbury Borough star, a winner in the fours last week, came within an ace of grabbing the coveted crown, only to be pipped at the death by England colleague Grant Burgess, of Worcestershire club Gilt Edge.

It was the second time Gillett had finished runner-up in the national final, having been beaten 21-14 by John Leeming in 1995.

Watched by a crowd of around 250, Gillett started confidently, although never capturing the magnificent drawing form he had shown in earlier rounds.

He led 5-2 after five ends, but went 12-5 down after ten, only to haul himself level at 12-12 after the 15th end.

The pair were locked together at 16-16 at 19 and 18-18 after 21. On the 22nd end, Gillett held four shots for game, but with his last bowl, Burgess pushed up one of his short bowls to cut it down to two.

On the next end, Gillett dropped two and on what was the last end, Burgess drew a toucher with his first bowl. Gillett, under pressure, failed to draw close and also missed with a firing attempt.

Gillett's chances of winning the title had appeared remote when he trailed Bill Hobart (Sleaford Road, Lincs) 17-12 after 21 ends of their quarter-final.

But Gillett hit back in style, scoring 3, 2, 1, 3 to win the match 21-17 on the 25th end.

In the semi-final against Bob Burch, of Madeira (Devon), the Boro bowler was at his brilliant best, although in the early stages he trailed 10-5. Again, Gillett slowly edged back to lead 18-11.

On what proved to be the penultimate end, Gillett's first and third bowls were touching the jack but Burch brilliantly picked up two to stay alive at 18-13.

On the final end, Gillett drew three superbly close and Burch twice went just past the head, leaving Gillett a 21-13 winner.

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