Ilsington's England triples champion Lloyd Roberts is just five wins away from a second successive national indoor title after linking up with Torquay United clubmates John Evans and Griff Sanders to beat Exonia skip Bill Davis 23-15 in the final round of qualifying in Area 31, writes Tony Atkins.Given the strength in depth of indoor bowling in Devon, it is a fine achievement to qualify again for the latter stages at Nottingham, in April, and former international John Evans is delighted that the trio have a real chance to defend their crown. 'It was a good game and they (Exonia) all played,' said Evans.'It is never easy to defend a title like that and we hoped we would at least reach the finals to give it a go. We must be unbeaten in about 15 or 16 matches now after our run last year and this,' said the former Commonwealth Games silver medallist.l Teignbridge's England international Jamie Chestney made his debut for Torquay United in the DCIBA County Trophy win over Isca 88-52, with the Exeter club side throwing in the towel after 18 ends.The 25-year-old ex-Norfolk county player has been selected to play for England at the World Championships in Australia, in November, alongside Natalie Melmore (Newton Abbot).The adopted Devonian played alongside fellow skip Sam Tolchard in the away leg at Isca, while back at Plainmoor Lloyd Roberts and Craig Down (Newton Abbot) helped Griff Sanders beat Allan Reed 23-9.Leading 9-1 after seven ends, Sanders scored a six and a seven over three ends to lead 23-9 when the match was conceded, John Evans, shaking hands with Chris Keyte (Isca) 29-10. l Kingsteignton's Robbie Murch won the South West Open Invitation Men's Triples at Torbay AIBC after coming in to play under skip Allen Reed, from the Isca club in Exeter. 'It was all a bit tight at the end,' said the former Teignbridge indoor player, with their rink finishing just ahead of Cornish representatives Caradon, with Graham Warren (Torbay) in third place.l Robbie Murch and skip John Evans were the only winners as Torquay United were beaten by title favourites Exonia 76-58 (3-1) in the DCIBA inter-club league. Evans beat Scottish Open winner Rob Paxton 16-9 at Plainmoor.'It was a bit of a low scoring game,' said Evans, who led 4-0 and 7-6 and then pulled away from 12-9 up to win, as clubmates Lloyd Roberts (Ilsington) and Ian Lesley (Shaldon) lost out under skip Griff Sanders.Sanders trailed 0-12 after seven ends, but eventually fell eight shots down to Exonia's Simon Broom (15-23), while in the away leg Daniel Ferris (Teignmouth) and Craig Down (Newton Abbot) were beaten by Bill Davis 22-13, and Ryan Whitlock (Teignmouth), with Mark Hopkins and Joe Melmore (Newton Abbot) in his rink, was beaten by Kevin Phillips 22-14.l Newton Abbot's Alec O'Neill and Bitton Park outdoor player Terry Ash both posted winning scores as Torquay's B team beat Madeira (Exmouth) 82-75 (12-2) in inter-club division one. O'Neill came from 7-13 down to score a four, two doubles and a three in the closing stages to beat Cliff Skinner, while Ash led former international Bob Burch 16-7 and then held his nerve at 16-16 to win 19-16.Chudleigh's Brian Connelly played three to skip Bob Gilpin (Newton Abbot) in the 22-17 win over Mike Powell (Madeira), and Bill Harris got a maximum hot-shot score of eight on the first end, only to see match slip away over the final four ends to John Flockhart 26-22.l Newton Abbot's Ann Bunclark and Julia Barnes are in the Torquay United ladies' team that is currently vying for third place with Honiton in the DCILBA Foxlands Trophy team event.l In the Lane Trophy, Margaret Gale (Newton Abbot) is enjoying top spot with the ladies of Torquay who, with five matches played, lead second placed Isca (Exeter) by three points.