AMID the euphoria of Dorset’s triumphant campaign president Audrey Hubbard struck a sombre note during the county ladies’ presentation luncheon.

Speaking to more than 50 bowlers and guests at the Dorset Golf and Country Club, Bere Regis, she said how proud she had been to have served as president during a “fabulous and really thrilling” season.

She praised the county officials but added: “Without their hard work and dedication none of our success would have been possible. And without them there would be no county and no Atherley Trophy – and that would be a great shame.”

The president was referring to the fact that both secretary Sue Dadson and treasurer Edna Cumberland are standing down at the annual meeting in June and to date no-one has come forward to replace them.

Hubbard said: “We need nominations – I don’t suppose I will be knocked over in the rush – but ladies we need you to come forward to fill these posts.”

The toast to the prizewinners was, as is the tradition, made by the county singles champion who this season is Julia Eatwell.

The Bournemouth member began her speech by saying: “A lot of you won’t know who I am.” Which was quite true since she is a newcomer to Dorset and was competing in the county competitions for the first time.

Though she may be new to the county she is certainly no newcomer to bowls and arrives with an impressive CV.

A former indoor and outdoor member of the highly respected Westlecot club at Swindon she has moved house to Bournemouth with husband David to be near her 91-year-old mother Doris Townsend whose name is synonymous with the Redhill Park club in the town.

She represented Wiltshire in the Atherley Trophy this winter and is a past qualifier for the national stages of the fours both indoors and outdoors as well as reaching the semi-finals of the ladies’ pairs in the Bournemouth Open last year with Pat Horgan of Redhill Park.

Eatwell will be a Dorset bowler for all seasons as her outdoor allegiance is with Poole Park.

In the county singles final hosted by president Hubbard at her club East Dorset she beat former champion Lyn Howard (Dolphin) 21-17 in a 27-ender lasting three hours.

Eastwell had double delight as she teamed up with Julie Hudson and Jill Bryant to land the two-wood triples 19-11 against Dov Seacombe, Margery Bayley and Uta Keats from Isle of Purbeck.