oIn the English National Championships at Norwich, Chris and his Worcestershire partner Simon Archer beat N Ponting (Gloucestershire) and J Quinn (Middlesex) by a convincing 15-6, 15-4 scoreline.

The Commonwealth Games' gold-medal winning partnership has proved to be England's strongest over the last couple of years, fending off home-grown and international talent in several showcase competitions.

In the mixed doubles' final, Chris - whose family home is still in Harwood but who is now based in Wimbledon - teamed up with Derbyshire teenager Donna Kellogg. After disposing of England players in the semi-finals, they faced Chris's partner Simon playing with Jo Goode, who is four months' pregnant.

The more experienced pairing of Archer and Goode were always in control of this match, in spite of strong play from the new partnership. And they ran out winners 15-5, 15-2 to deny Chris his second title in a deserved victory - to the disappointment of the Bolton player's local fans who were able to watch the match on Sky TV.

Converted for the new archive on 14 July 2000. Some images and formatting may have been lost in the conversion.