Carterton's George Weedon has finally booked his place at the English National Championships at Worthing - after 50 years of trying.

He secured his spot at the south coast venue with victory in the Oxfordshire fours semi-finals at Oxford City & County.

In a nail-biting clash against club colleague David Clanfield's rink, the seasoned campaigner, along with teammates Sam Muir, Chris Thorne and John Hicks, collected a five on the 17th end to draw level at 16-16.

A two on the last end then gave them a 19-18 victory.

Their opponents in Sunday's final at Kidlington will be Shiplake's David Hall, Jim Bland, Barry Lambourne and skip Ryan Buckett, who made a marvellous recovery to triumph 23-19 against Banbury Borough's foursome of Keith Holloway, Richard Redford, Alan Prew and Gary Lucas.

They came from 17-8 down at 12 ends to drop only two more shots while collecting 15 themselves.

In the triples, Oxford City & County's Robin Hewson, Mike Petersen and Alan Ley overpowered Carterton's Stuart Richens, Robbie Clanfield and Baden Sparkes 24-13.

West Witney's Glyn Coggon, Gerald Coombs and Harry Williams were another side to stage a remarkable recovery as they pipped Headington's triple of Ian Henwood, Paul Mabbutt and Chris Nicoll 15-14.

At 12-0 down after five ends, the final must have looked miles away for the West Witney trio, but they fought back to go into the last end at 14-14, and a single shot booked their place at Worthing.

Mabbutt had earlier tasted success in one of the morning's pairs semi-finals with Headington partner Shaun Claridge as they beat Carterton's Sammy Timms and Robert Clanfield 21-11.

In the final, they will meet defending champions Keith Holloway and Richard Redford, from Banbury Borough, after they edged past Headington's Mick Nash and Mark Charlett 22-20.

In an all-Carterton singles semi-final, Paul Sharman raced to a 21-7 win over Andy Wise after 16 ends.

He now faces Headington's Nick Rae-Welsh, last year's runner-up, who rallied gamely to beat Banbury Borough's Colin Whitehead 21-19 .

At 12-2 up after eight ends it looked as if the Borough bowler had the game under control, only for Rae-Welsh to claw his way back.

Carterton's Sam Muir staged a similar fightback in the under 25s singles semi-final to beat Banbury Central's Will Campion 21-19.

From 16-8 down, Muir, who qualified for the fours final later in the day, found a new lease of life to win six of the last nine ends.

His opponent will be two-times winner John Philpott, from Banbury Borough, who overcame Watlington's William Soden 21-12.

The under 25s final kicks off finals day at 11am, with the remaining games at 2pm.

MARGARET Ellis has reached the English Ladies National Championships pairs finals in Leamington at the grand age of 77.

The Oxford & County veteran won through with partner Cindy Lee at Kidlington on Saturday.