KEEN to show what he is capable of to the Irish selectors who have ignored him of late, Jim Colfor defeated title holder and favourite Bruce Topping in the semi-finals of the Carlton-sponsored national championships in Terenure yesterday. However, Colfor failed to maintain his form and, following an all too familiar pattern, he lost out in the final.

The Dubliner has gone close on several occasions, but has never managed to win this title. However, after overpowering top-seed Topping with an impressive performance, it seemed that this might finally be his year.

It wasn't to be, though, as Michael Watt, who had survived a bit of a scare himself in the morning against Donnic O'Halloran, stepped in to deprive Colfor of his glory and pick up a fourth Irish singles title.

It was a tight rather than a particularly exciting final, with Colfer always chasing his opponent. Although the 31-year-old looked tired towards the end of the second set, when he twice allowed clutches of points to slip away, he always seemed to have just enough in reserve to prevail.

"I thought he played into my hands a little," said Watt of his opponent after completing a 15-8, 15-11 victory, "because my drop shot in around the net is good and instead of pushing around the back of the court more when I was tiring, Jim kept playing it in thee which helped me out a bit."

Topping, meanwhile, who had been aiming to defend all three of the titles he won 12 months ago, recovered from the defeat in the morning to enjoy a highly profitable afternoon in the doubles where he came through tough three-set matches to pick up the men's and mixed championships.

For only the second time this season, Topping and Ann Stephens went on court together for the mixed doubles, but they again proved too strong for Michael O'Meara and Elaine Kiely. O'Meara teamed up with Topping for the men's victory.