THIS week the seemingly sedate world of bowls, sponsored by companies such as BUPA Care Homes, was shaken to its roots. The shy, bespectacled left-handed top rank bowler Les Gillett (27), who lives in the Cotswolds with his parents, has sparked off an official investigation by the English Bowls Council after being knocked unconscious at a post-match celebration.

Gillett was unable to identify his assailant because his spectacles were ripped off, although, he suspects a jealous rival was the culprit. The victim pulled no punches in his response to the attack, which may keep him out of the national championships next month. "I want the person who hit me to come forward and I want an apology in writing from him," he fumed.

Gillett's mystery attacker, along with former world champion Hugh Duff who was sent home in disgrace by Scotland for "drinking after hours", and Griff Sanders, banned for 10 years for insulting a county secretary, has dragged the game down to the level associated with some footballers and rugby players according to the sport's commentators.