Richard Leeder, the current Suffolk Bowls (BE) County Four Bowl Singles Champion, survived a major scare in the defence of his title at this year’s quarter-finals held at the Halesworth Angel Bowls Club.

Leeder, who plays his bowls at the Rookery Bowls Club, was 11-17 down to Len Fordham and looking like going out of the competition.

Fordham, from the Felixstowe & Suffolk Bowls Club, had dominated the game and only needed four more shots for a outstanding win but Leeder refused to give in and won five of the next six ends to lead 20-19.

The last two ends were tense with Fordham making it 20 all before Leeder secured the winning shot.

In the semi-finals, to be held at the Felixstowe & Suffolk Bowls Club on Sunday, July 14, Leeder will now face Gordon Williams (Cornard BC), who comfortably saw of the challenge of Mick Salter (Borough of Eye BC), winning a one sided game by 21-11.

Last year’s Two Bowl County Champion and current England international, John Rednall had to come from behind to beat John Robinson of the Wenhaston Bowls Club.

Robinson led 13-9 before Rednall, who plays out of the Felixstowe & Suffolk Bowls Club, powered away to win 21-15.

His opponent in the semi-final will be Paul LeGrice (Lowestoft Railway BC) who beat Richard Slee (Norbridge B C) by 21-12.

The game was tight in the early stages, with the score at 12 all after 14 ends played, before LeGrice took control and won the next five ends picking up the nine shots needed for victory.