MALDON Bowling Club’s ex-international Andy Squire has won the Essex Singles championship for 2014 and taken the title for the fifth time since 2000.

The finals of all the major championships took place at Westcliff-on-Sea at the Essex County Bowling Club in hot and humid conditions with the greens playing extremely well.

Squire faced current England International star Steve Mitchinson of Romford in the Singles final.

It promised to be a classic and the large crowd were not to be disappointed.

Squire and Mitchinson had previously won the National Singles title – in 2007 and 2010 respectively – and it was the Maldon man who opened up an early 10-4 lead before Mitchinson closed the gap to 10–9.

Over the next few ends Squire played some excellent drawing bowls and was holding game at 19–12 when Mitchinson produced a match-saving drive.

With the score at 20–12, Mitchinson made a great fightback, applying pressure and reducing the deficit to 20-18.

However, Squire held his nerve and closed out the game 21–18 to take the title.