NEIL HOPE continued his winning ways as an England Junior international skip.

The 24-year-old Westlecot bowler made a winning debut as a skip last November in the annual England Under 25 match against Wales. He led his rink to a convincing 32-8 victory in England's 85-73 win.

Last weekend at Palmerston, Fareham, he extended that record to four wins out of four while representing England in the British Junior Indoor International series.

Hope led his rink of Mark O'Riordan (Thornably), Neil Davies (Desborough, Maidenhead) and Chris Gale (Blackpool Borough) to wins over Ireland, Wales and Scotland.

On Saturday in the first match Hope's rink recorded the biggest win a 31-14 success over N Mulholland as England beat Ireland 99-56 taking the honours on all four rinks.

However, in the evening England surprisingly were beaten 85-70 by Wales losing on three of the four rinks.

The only success was recorded by Hope's quartet who beat G Thomas 19-17.

Going into yesterday's final games Scotland looked odds on to take the crown with two wins out of two (four points) and England and Wales on two points each.

But England then turned the championship on its head.

They beat Scotland 77-59 and with Wales thrashing Ireland 101-47 this let Wales in for the title with +57 shots.

England finished second with +46 shots and Scotland dropped to third also on four points but with only +24 shots. Ireland were last and pointless.

In the final match against Scotland, the young bowlers from England took the honours on three of the four rinks.

Hope's quartet were involved in a tight match against Scotland's N Spiers.

They were all square at 14-14 after 15 ends but trailed 16-18 at 18 ends. However a late surge saw Hope pick-up four shots and only concede one to win 20-19 and his quartet preserve their 100 per cent record in the 2004 junior home international series and four wins out of four this season.