netball court, are finding a new niche in another sport -- bowling -- having recently earned places on the Bermuda team for next August's FIQ American Zone Championships in Mexico.

Williams is regarded as one of the Island's top goalkeepers and has represented the country internationally, while Dill is a former captain of the Bermuda netball team, having also captained AICO in the league for many years.

Both held onto their top-six places going into the weekend's final two days of qualifying roll-offs at Warwick Lanes, with Dill actually leading the women after 18 games going into the final 12.

She finished third overall with a 5,533 pinfall, behind top-place finisher Darnell Raynor (5,647) and Kathy Christopher (5,577). Bobbie Ingham (5,473), Pat Ming-Albuoy (5,430) and Traci Francis (5,407) complete the six qualifiers.

"This is the first time representing Bermuda in bowling and I'm excited about it,'' said Dill. "I went to the FIQ American Zone Tournament as a spectator in 1989 in Wichita, Kansas -- that was Bobbie's first time and I went to support her -- and I decided I was going to get serious when I finished with netball. Last year because of an injury I wasn't able to play.'' Dill has not totally given up netball but clearly has developed a love for bowling after just two years of serious involvement. "I only decided to get serious after watching the tournament in '89,'' she said. "At that tournament I bought a ball and shoes and came home and got some coaching from Antoine Jones.

"I still look to him very much for any help I need. I think he's excellent.

He's the person who got me where I am now. He taught me the fundamentals and basics of bowling.'' There are two changes to both the women's and men's teams from last year's team for the FIQ Worlds in Singapore, with Dill and Francis replacing June Pitt and Millie Waldron who finished seventh and eighth in this year's roll-offs and narrowly missed inclusion.

In the men, Williams and Miles Smith, himself a former soccer player, are the new faces, replacing Victor Thompson and Steve Riley.

"The Tournament of the Americas in Miami just after Cup Match taught me to take bowling more seriously,'' explained Williams, who has been bowling since 1979. "I realised how serious I had to be to compete.'' He came back and took on the FIQ roll-offs with a new determination after a disappointing showing in Miami. "I had a point to prove since a lot of people counted me out,'' he said.

"I didn't just make it but I also beat a lot of top guys. Antoine, Conrad and my cousin Stevie Riley pushed me along pretty hard. Bowling is competitive too but is more enjoyable than soccer.'' Dean Lightbourne heads the men's group after moving from second to first on the weekend while Williams went from third to finish a creditable second.

Lightbourne had a pinfall of 7,989 while Williams finished on 7,767 and Jones, who was the leader after 24 of the 40 games, third on 7,760. The other three qualifiers are Chris Bardgett (7,723), Conrad Lister (7,712) and Miles Smith (7,542).

The top eight men (Mike McCallum and Hank Rawlins were seventh and eighth) and 10 women (Charletta Samuels and Helena Rawlins were ninth and 10th) will go into the coaching programme in preparation of the tournament next August with the non-qualifiers serving as alternates.

JUNE DILL TY WILLIAMS -- Giving bowling the same respect as soccer and reaping the dividends.