ROYAL Wootton Bassett had representation in all eight scheduled finals at the county men’s national championship finals day at Devizes last Sunday which was badly disrupted by the inclement weather.

However, Bassett missed out on a clean sweep in the five finals that did get the green light as they suffered a loss in the triples to Salisbury.

The three semi-finals carried forward from the previous weekend went ahead as planned on Saturday despite the rain as did the final of the senior (over 55) fours.

But only four of the seven planned Sunday finals went head with the other three having to be postponed because of the conditions.

Bassett took the senior fours on the Saturday with the foursome of Kevin Embling, Graham Richards, Alan Small and Dave Snell beating a four from Westlecot comfortably 21-14.

They were ahead throughout leading 10-1 at six ends and 13-4 at 11 before sealing the win on the 21st and last end.

This senior fours event was only introduced last year with a Bassett quartet, skipped by Mel Biggs, winning the national title and lifting the inaugural trophy at Leamington.

They went out in this year’s county semis to Westlecot and have been replaced as county champions by another Bassett four hoping to repeat their fine performance last season.

Bassett added another three titles on the Sunday but missed out on the full house as the triples team of Graham Hatherall, his son Craig and Terry Walton substituting for Neil Collett lost 16-11 to Salisbury in a wet afternoon final.

In the morning, Middleton Cup player-manager Neil Smith got Bassett rolling after trailing throughout to Salisbury’s Tom Warner in the two wood singles final.

Smith was down 6-1 at five ends and 12-7 at 15 but drew level 12-12 at 19 before snatching a two on the 21st and last end to lead for the first time in the game and win the final with a last gasp 14-13 success.

Craig Morphet won the junior (U25) singles comfortably, beating Avon’s Tom Newman 21-14 after leading 11-5 at 10 ends and 17-7 at 14.

The junior (U25) pairs also went to a new Bassett partnership, Phil Gregory and Craig Hatherall coming from behind to beat a Westlecot pairing 16-12. They were tied 9-9 at 11 ends but pulled away to a 16-12 success at the allotted 18 ends.

No new date has yet been announced for the three remaining men’s finals.

RESULTS

Saturday July 28, Four wood singles semi-final: Dave Godwin (RWB) beat Craig Hatherall (RWB) 21-15.

Pairs semi-final: Dave Godwin & Steve Snell (RWB) beat James Nobbs & Anthony Sprules (RWB) 26-13

Pairs (U25) semi-final: Jamie Shadwell & Adam Bolwell (Spencer Moulton) lost to v Phil Gregory & Craig Hatherall (RWB) 12-16.

Over 55 fours final: John Anderson, Paul Kistle, Brian Whittingham & Ian Jefferies (Westlecot) lost to Kevin Embling, Graham Richards, Alan Small & Dave Snell (RWB) 14-21

Only winners progress to Leamington in the men’s over 55s fours

Sunday July 29, Two wood singles final: Tom Warner (Salisbury) lost to Neil Smith (RWB) 13-14

Junior (U25) singles final: Tom Newman (Avon) lost to Craig Morphet (RWB) 14-21

Pairs (U25) final: Nathan Richards (sub Mike Titcombe) & James Richman (Westlecot) lost to P Gregory & C Hatherall (RWB) 12-16

Triples final: Ashley Plumb, Bob Armstrong & Jamie Reynolds (Salisbury) beat Graham Hatherall, Terry Walton (sub for Neil Collett) & Craig Hatherall (RWB) 16-11.

To be rearranged, Fours final: Kyle Anderson, Tom Walkley, Dave Godwin & Steve Snell (RWB) v James Nobbs, Anthony Sprules, Craig & Gary Morphet (RWB). Four wood singles final: Wayne Snook (Holt) v D Godwin (RWB). Pairs final: Wayne Simmonds & Wayne Snook (Holt) v Dave Godwin & Steve Snell (RWB).