INDOOR bowler Ben Grover, from Whitstable, is looking forward to fresh challenges after reaching the last 16 of the National Under-25 Championships.

The 16-year-old Oyster IBC member was the youngest player to qualify for the final stages at Nottingham, and overcame the host club's Aaron Lockhart before losing to Gavin Taylor, of Cumbria. Grover, who attends Herne Bay High, was making only his second appearance in the competition. Last year he went out in the first round.

He said: "I did better than I thought, but when I got through to the last 16 there were only Englnad players left. I was really pleased with the first game but in the second I could not get used to the rink I was playing on."

Grover was accompanied to the east Midlands by his parents, Hilary and Barry, but their attempts to cheer him on against Lockhart were drowned out by the vociferous backing for the local lad. Lockhart, four years Grover's senior, quickly opened up a 3-0 lead, but the Oyster player hit back to edge ahead 4-3 and he stayed in front until falling behind 18-16.

A four then helped him regain the initiative and another shot on the final end sealed the comeback and a 21-18 triumph.

Cumbria's Taylor is an England Under-25 squad member but Grover gave him a scare by coming from 10-0 down to only trail 11-9 before losing 21-10. Among Grover's scalps on the way to Nottingham was Oyster clubmate Grant Allen and that pair are due to meet again in the second round of the county under-25 competition.

Grover is also though to the last four of the Kent Under-17 event and faces Tom Beesley of Cyphers in the last 32 of the county men's singles at the Oyster on March 30. He has also been named in the Kent squad to face Dorset in the semi-finals of the national double fours competition on February 24.

Grover is now looking for sponsors to help with the cost of travelling and equipment. Anyone interested in helping may contact him on 07763 711882.