Keen sailed unbeaten through the first five rounds and could afford to miss the final round.

Meanwhile, Michael Craggs continued his strong performance as he defeated number two seed Nigel Chudleigh to reach four-and-a-half points, good enough for second place overall.

The result also meant that Craggs won the 1,600-1,775 category and improved his points rating from 1,773 to 1,825.

Relative newcomer Kai Hartman played well to win four out of six matches in capturing the 1,450-1,600 category. His provisional rating rose to 1,576 and he needs to play just three more games to obtain a full rating based on 20 games.

In the under-1,450 section Shimon Alkon emerged victorious, adding 14 points to his previous rating of 1,423.

Last night saw the start of the Gosling Brothers Christmas Special tournament, which will finish next Tuesday after each player has completed seven matches.

The tournament's format has players being allotted 40 minutes per game and handicapped according to their individual rating. This handicap gives the weaker player more time on the clock.

Prizes will be awarded to the top three finishers by Charles Gosling.

This weekend has the Bermuda youth thrust in the spotlight when the Individual championships are held at Mount Saint Agnes on Saturday (noon start).

West Pembroke school dominated the 12 and Under category last year with Daniel Miller and Adam Burch finishing first and second. Shimon Alkon of Saltus and St. George's Aaron Bean were the top guns in the 13-18 category.

All four are once again expected to participate.

SQUASH SQU The finals of the Shell Division Handicap tournament produced several close games, but none as thrilling as the Division A final where Richard Brewer outlasted Norman Furtado 3-2 in a thrilling five-setter.

The match was played at a furious pace and after losing the first set Brewer came back to take the next two before Furtado levelled the games at two apiece with a 15-14 result in the fourth set.

But Brewer would not be denied and a drop-shot mistake by Furtado enabled the former to take the final set 15-13 to a standing ovation from the packed crowd on hand.

Most of the other events were dominated by junior players...a good sign for the future of the sport.

Mel Caines, rapidly becoming a major force on the Island, proved much too strong for Jonathan Saul, sweeping him in straight sets 3-0 for B Division honours.

Meanwhile, in Division C, 11-year-old Nick Kyme was stretched to the limit before finally overcoming Jan Shaw 3-2.

Another junior, Donnavon Furbert defeated Joanne Bielby 3-0 in the D final.

Ashlea Johnson played some of her best squash ever to beat Malcolm Towlson 3-0 in the Plate final.

HOCKEY HOC Women's league action resumed on Saturday with Police Orioles A and B matched against PHC Canaries A and B.

In the B League match Orioles continuously pressured the Canaries defence but were unable to get the ball in the net and had to settle for a 0-0 draw. A League action again saw Orioles dominating most of the match with some good playing by Marcia Ford but it was Rhonda Rawlins of Canaries who was able to score the only goal of the match in a 1-0 win.

Sunday's league play began with Coca-Cola Cardinals B matched against Bluebirds. By the half Bluebirds were up 3-0 and although Cardinals regrouped after the half they were unable to get over the teamwork and strength of the Bluebirds.

Bluebirds failed to add to the first-half goals from Alex Adam and Ailsa Campbell (two) and settled for a 3-0 win.

The second game of the day finished 2-2 between North Village Longtails and Cardinals A. Cardinals came out fast and furious in the first half and took the lead through goals from Gina Evans and Maria Pichery.

Longtails responded with one goal in the first half from Monique Hill and then scored the equaliser in the second half through Lisa Rawlins.

BOWLING BOW Quinton Hayward just missed the magical 700 by four pins when his sizzling 696 series led Terrible Four to a 15-5 win over Get Togethers in latest Mixed Classic League action.

Hayward had games of 245, 237 and 214 as Get Togethers did not get it together long enough to offset his fine bowling.

Bermuda Glass and Pro Staff widened their lead at the top of the standings with 17-3 and 16-4 wins respectively while Perfect Combination beat Amflites 12-8.

Bermuda Glass were conquerors of Flagler Street Gang who were led by Robert Flood's 560 series.

Perfect Combination's Winnette Lottimore claimed the women's top series and game of 601 and 247 with Eddie Bardgett close behind in support with the men's third series 596. For Amflites, June Pitt bowled a 572 series with Merle Robinson adding a 561 and 233 second high game.

Pro Staff went after Four Star Pizza with a vengeance and walked away with 16 of the 20 points as Bobbie Ingham led them with a 576 series while Vernon Daniels added more topping to the Pizza with a 557 series.

East End Asphalt were stopped in their tracks by Us Until with a 13-7 win with Pat Ming Albuoy bowling their top score of 539 while Asphalt's Peaches Perinchief had a 513.

SOCCER SOC HMS Malabar was successful in raising in excess of $1,500 to benefit the blind during its Second Annual Five-A-Side Soccer tournament held at Malabar in Dockyard on Sunday.

Some of the funds are earmarked for the base charity, Guide Dogs for the Blind. And in addition base spokesman Meml Stone said that $600 will be donated to the buying of blind equipment -- braille books or possibly a guide dog -- for seven-year-old Somerset Primary School student Tmara Fubler.

"We heard about this little girl's plight and thought we'd give her something,'' said Stone. "We'll make a presentation soon and would like to get her to come to Malabar and show her around the place.'' Winners of the tournament in the men's category was the team representing the base, who disposed of Island Rangers 3-0 in the final. In fact Malabar reached two finals, however their women's side were beaten 6-0 by local women's league side Terminators.

Twelve teams were involved in the competition including ones from Police, Prison Officers, Marine and Ports, and Robin Hood, all of which helped in the sponsoring of the event organised by the wives of base personnel.

Commander Bawtree was on hand to present prizes at the conclusion of the tournament.