NEIL SMITH remains on course to reach three of the top four national indoor championship area finals, writes DAVE EATON.

The 41-year-old Westlecot bowler, who recently made his debut in the Potters World Indoor Championships in Norfolk, completed the first part of his treble bid with victory in the Area 16 semi-finals of the triples.

He has also qualified for the semi-finals of the singles and will meet fellow Westlecot player Graham Hatherall tomorrow evening.

Also at Westlecot tonight (6.30pm), Smith lines up with Barry Sictorness, John Thomas and Hatherall in the Area 16 fours semi-final against the Christie Miller (Melksham) quartet of Dave Godwin, Paul Macdonald, Nigel Price and Andy Moore.

The triples semi, featuring Smith, Sictorness and Tom Walkley versus fellow Westlecot trio Kevin Embling, Dan Hoskin and Dave Snell was an enthralling encounter.

Smith was pushed all the way by Snell and had to rely on last wood for shot on several occasions .

They were 5-0 up after three ends and leading 5-3 at five. A string of singles followed and the gap was still two shots at 8-6 after 11 ends. A rare count of two on the 12th saw Snell draw level at 8-8.

Smith killed the next end before nudging ahead with a single on the re-spotted jack. He led 10-9 at 15 ends but then scored on the last three to claim a five shot win and 14-9 victory.

WESTLECOT missed out in two area 16 finals in senior events at Cotswold.

An unwell David Vowles led his Over 60s Singles final up to 15 ends, but tired to lose 21-15 to Bristol's Terry Barnes.

Mike Russell and Tony Rivers were beaten by one shot by the Bristol duo of Terry Barnes and David Constant, the former England Test cricket umpire, in the Over 60s pairs final.