POOL: CREWE'S Lorraine Fivey came within touching distance of a place in the England team, but only pocketed personal pride.
The 25-year-old was hoping her third trial for the national team would prove to be a lucky charm. After winning four of six matches at the qualifying tournament at Great Yarmouth, she entered a play-off contest for a coveted spot.
But she was eventually ousted by Donna Williams, a current member of the England team who had been forced to retrial for the coming season.
It was a disappointment for Lorraine, who lives at West Street, as she had just displayed her outstanding form by winning the Universities Pool Council Women's Championships at Derbyshire.
Competing on behalf of the University of Staffordshire, she had too much class for Oxford University's first-team captain Sarah Milham in the final, winning 4-1.
Meanwhile, Crewe sharpshooters Dave Preece and Phil Malam struggled in their England trials, both losing three games and winning one - not enough to progress.
Dave, of Crewe, said: 'Phil and I did OK among tough competition, but Lorraine did remarkably well.
'She was beaten by an England player in the end but did very well in getting to the final stages and missed out by only a couple of wins.
'Three of the four ladies that beat her eventually did get through to the England side so she was very un-lucky.'
