OXFORDSHIRE pool player Malcolm Lewis has become an England International for the second time in his career.

The 39-year-old, who plays at the Osney Arms, came through the England Pools Counties Federation International team trials in Hatfield, to reclaim his place in the England set-up.

Three other Oxfordshire players, Kevin McIlroy (Didcot), Paul Chambers (Oxford) and Dave Lewyckyj (Didcot) also took part.

Lewis lost his first match but came back to take the next five and claim his place in the final group matches.

He romped through these, winning all three matches to clinch his place in the side.

The other Oxon competitiors fared less well. Chambers and Lewyckyj both won two but lost three of their opening group matches, and McIlroy lost his opening three matches to crash out.

Lewis now has the unique record of becoming the first, and at the moment the only player, to represent England for both organisations, having played for the English Pool Association 87 times between 1984 and 1994. He now plays in the forthcoming Home Internationals which take place in Renfrew (Scotland) between March 26-28.

He also takes part in the Dublin Festival, the World Championships and the European Championships in France, and is now looking for sponsorship to help him fund these trips. He can be contacted on 01865 453162.

OXFORDSHIRE'S County pool teams suffered mixed fortunes in their first English Pool Association Inter-County match of the year.

Oxon Ladies continued last season's impressive form to defeat Northamptonshire by 28 frames to 16, with Val Collins from Wallingford, winning three.

The Men's A team, under new Welsh international captain Julian Wilde, were narrowly beaten 24-20 by Northants, one of the region's top teams.

And despite a valiant effort from Ricky Jones's B team, a strong Northants side ran out 27-17 winners.

Story date: Saturday 27 February

Converted for the new archive on 30 June 2000. Some images and formatting may have been lost in the conversion.