Horspath Hammers were crowned British Open Club Champions in Sheffield.

But it was tough, with their British champion Mark Boaler taking third place in the final race to win it by a point.

Birmingham stormed into a lead after the first four races.

However, Hammers won the next four and by the third set had a five-point lead.

Then it was left to Boaler to perform his heroics.

Tomorrow, Hammers host East Newport in the British Premier League.

Result: 1 Horspath 48 (M Carmichael 13, M Boaler 12, S Harris 12, L Osborne 11), 2 Birmingham 47, 3 Leicester 33, 4 Ipswich 32.

Former British Women’s Champions Horspath were fifth in the final of the Women’s team event. Leicester were crowned champions.

Hammers scorers: L Horsley 16 , C Jane Herbert 13, G Horsley 6, E Carter 3.

l HORSPATH lost 105-74 at Poole in Division 1 Regional League, while Hammers drew 46-46 in the Combination.

But there was better news for the Under 18 Conference side who won 76 -72.

SCORES Horspath 1st: L Horsley 3, S Harris 22+1, L Clarke 10, J Neighbour 5, W Clarke 11, J Richardson 11, Z Payne 9, G Horsley 2.

Horspath 2nd: P Borac 8, L Horsley 13+2, J Neighbour 12+1, G Horsley 14+1.

Horspath Conference: L Clarke 15+1, G Horsley 13 +2, Z Payne 13+3, J Richardson 13+3, L Horsley 4+1, J Neighbour 10 +1, W Clarke 10.