MEMBERS of a newly formed bowls club in Stourport were bowled over by a visit from the game's national ruling body.

Stourport Bowls Club played host to officials from the English Bowling Association for a special dinner last week.

But their hospitality stopped there as they defeated their visitors 140 shots to 92 in a commemorative match at their Lickhill Road base.

The EBA rarely send representative teams to new clubs, but they agreed to visit Stourport's Lickhill Road base to officially open new changing rooms and launch the club's rink bowling section.

EBA president John Tolley, a former Worcestershire Bowling Association chief, praised the club for thriving at a time when the game was suffering a slight decline in numbers.

Stourport players were presented with EBA mementoes of the day along with a pennant to hang at the club.

Club president Sid Barkas said: "It was a fantastic day and everybody enjoyed it. It's unheard of for the EBA to send all of their dignitaries to new clubs so we're ever so grateful to them."