IT is celebration time at New Milton after Brian Gordon, John Nibloe and skip Steve Hockham qualified for the Bowls England Championships next month.

They booked their place in Worthing by reaching the Hampshire final of the triples at Atherley with a 15-9 victory over Fareham (Martyn Dubb).

But hopes of going to the nationals as county champions were dashed in the final by Eastleigh Railway (Paul May).

Nicky Jones is also on the road to Worthing for the singles. The four-time Hampshire champion from Boscombe Cliff goes there as runner-up after losing the final 21-14 to Mark Hammond.