ESSEX Invitation Petanque League side Onley Arms booked their place at the national finals after a top-four finish at the East of England triples competition.

Onley's Nikki Parrish, Trevor and Dan Blows won nine of their games to take fourth place overall.

Fellow Essex side Thorley will also have a team at the national finals at Hayling Island in September.

In the Essex Invitation League, Bocking Spinners edged out Bocking Boules 2-1, with Malcolm Smith sealing the win with a 13-6 singles win against Callum Finn.

League leaders Billericay U3A B won 2-1 against Three Elms A to just hold on to top spot ahead of the Onley Arms, who had a 3-0 win on the promenade at Maldon.

In a close triples, Trevor Blows, Ian Humm and Neil Morgan edged out Ron Martin, Brian Butcher and Peter Harden 13-11.

Blows secured a 13-0 win over Harden and Humm and Morgan beat Butcher and Ken Hardy to seal maximum points.

Billericay A are third after a 2-1 win at the Swan, Little Totham.

Steve Read, Simon Walker and Darren Podger took the Swan's only win in a 13-6 triples victory.