SIMON JEE'S bid to reach the finals of the Champion of Champions tournament for the first time ended with a juddering halt at the weekend, when the former national champion came a cropper at the hands of international John Ottaway.

The Parson's Green stalwart beat Ottaway on his way to winning the national title back in 2005.

But this time the man known as 'the Machine' showed why he has been an England regular for 25 years, comfortably beating Jee 21-7.

Jee said: "I played too many loose ends early in the game, allowing John too much space to draw.

"And against a player of his class, it was only a matter of time before I packed my bags."

All is not lost for Jee, however, as he remains on course for a return to the national finals.

But to do that, he needs to win his quarter-final and semi-final singles matches next week.

He remains the only Parson's Green bowler still in the county competition

However, the team remain top of the Richmond & Barnes League after taking three from four points against Putney Town at the weekend.