As the 2006 national visually impaired singles champion, Chris was invited along with national competition winners from 2006 to 2008, plus the UK singles champion, to play a round-robin tournament against each other with the winner gaining a place in the 2009 world championships.

The invited players went into action knowing that only four wins out of four would guarantee the coveted qualification. Matches were played to 21 shots or two and a half hours.

First up for Chris was Keith Brenton, who was reigning world champion when he represented Wales in South Africa in 2005 and who now lives in Newcastle. Chris won 21-8.

Next came Henry Edwards (Preston), the 2008 national winner, and Chris beat him 21-13. Keeping in the race for top spot, Chris then beat UK champion Steve Simmonds (London ) 21-12.

Going into his final game Chris needed 13 shots to make certain of qualifying and he found this a tough assignment.

His opponent, Eric Shackleford (Bridgewater), the 2005 national champion), powered to a 9-3 lead before the more consistent bowling of Chris earned him a 21-13 victory, top spot and the opportunity to compete in the world championships starting next April 12.

His success has now presented Chris with another challenge - finding the money to pay for his trip Down Under, as the English National Association of Visually Handicaped Bowlers does not receive any funding with which to assist its representatives.