MIKE Baylis, the king of sling, had Oxon bowlers rocking and rolling in disbelief yesterday.

The craggy, retired Woodstock banker snatched the prized singles crown from Les Gillett - ranked 14th in the world - in a dramatic showdown at East Oxford.

Baylis, 59, beat International Open winner Gillett, 27, by 21-19, after a measure on the 24th end!

Baylis had surged back from 19-13 down to leave Banbury Borough star Gillett with only two of the 'full house' four titles he was chasing after qualifying as a county finalist in all events for the national championships at Worthing next month. Gillett's achievement has had the bowlers' bible, Bowls International magazine, scouring the records to see who had matched his phenomenal feat.

Editor Melvyn Beck found only two - bowls legend David Bryant, and, more recently, Grant Burgess, of Worcestershire.

Earlier this month, Baylis turned up for his semi-final against Banbury Borough's Jim Denbow with his arm in a sling.

He had gone to hospital in agony in the early hours of the morning just 12 hours before the game and doctors had diagnosed a suspected trapped nerve in his neck.

Baylis had his appeal for a postponement of the semi-final turned down, took off the sling - and pulled off an improbably victory. Baylis said: "No way was I going to miss the chance of getting to Worthing, the Mecca of bowls.

"Now I'm absolutely flabbergasted - I really am."

Yet victory against red-hot favourite Gillett had seemed unlikely after the first end.

Gillett, playing in his first season in Oxfordshire since his move from Gloucestershire, opened with a four.

No matter how he tried, however, he could not shake off Baylis whose previous best achievement was winning the Oxon champion of champions title way back in 1990.

Gillett said: "Full credit to Mike - he's a worthy champion, he hung on in there admirably."

"The day before, I practised at the Chipping Norton green and was awesome!

"But by my standards in the final, I was ropey and probably rubbish.

"Of course I'm disappointed but Worthing is a different kettle of fish.

"When I reached the national final a few years ago, I'd also been beaten in the Gloucestershire final so hopefully that's an omen for this year.

"Certainly I'm still looking to pick up a national title - or even two!"

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