TWO of Braintree Bowling Club's elite players, Graham Easterbrook and Martin Spencer, claimed the Pairs title at the Essex County Bowling Association Championships at Southend.

Their opponents - Mitch Brenner and James Rippey from Wanstead Central - made the final an extremely tight game, but it resulted in the Braintree pair taking the honours with a 19-17 victory.

It is was the first time Braintree have won this major trophy.

After performing well over seven previous rounds in this County competition the Essex Pairs title was a worthy reward for the two talented players.

Easterbrook and Spencer's triumph now makes it two consecutive County titles for the club over the past two seasons.

Last year, the duo also featured in the County Double Fours-winning team, comprising of Josh Herffernan, Chris Long, Brian Taplin, Malcolm Stark, Rob Doleman and Dave Hunt.

Having taken the county title, the Braintree duo will now go on to represent Essex's A team at the Men's National Pairs Championships at Royal Leamington Spa later this month when their opponents will be Yorkshire A.