NEIL SMITH’S rich vein of form since the start of the year continued last weekend In East Anglia with victory in the Ipswich Open Singles Tournament.

The 47-year-old Westlecot indoor star from Peatmoor, West Swindon, took the honours in a closely fought final.

Smith won on a tie breaker defeating Norfolk’s Wayne Willgress (Norwich) 6-7, 6-5, 2-1 to lift the £800 first prize.

Smith also received a call-up into the England squad for the British Isles Indoor Bowls Council International Series starting next Thursday at Stanley, Co. Durham.

“(It was) A great final played at a furious pace with both Wayne (Willgress) and myself playing really well,” said a delighted Smith after his victory.

“The final end was dramatic, I drew a back toucher with my first but Wayne killed the end and the jack was re-spotted.

“I drew shot with my third and fourth to hold two, Wayne trailed the jack with his last only to see it hit my bowl and remain shot.”

On his way to the final Smith had won five matches. The first was an extremely tight affair with James Rippey (Essex) and saw Smith snatch victory in a tie breaker (5-5, 5-5, 2-1).

Two comfortable 2-0 wins followed over Ipswich’s Dom Warren and Jacquline Edgar from Sudbury, Suffolk saw smith through to the last eight.

In the quarter-finals Smith defeated local player Lee Calver 2-0 (6-4, 11-4) before notching another 2-0 success when defeatingUnder 18 International Connor Cinato from Desborough, Northants, in the semi-final .

Smith was in high spirits after his Ipswich success took him up to seventh spot in the planetbowls.com rankings and virtually certain to finish in the top 32 and claim a place in the end of season grand prix final in Boston playing for big prize money.

“I have been feeling good now for a while, having had my knee problem sorted out with a steroid injection in January,” said a happy Smith. “I am playing pain free for the first time in years.

“The results are starting to come good and I am in good form leading into a very busy time in the next few weeks.”

Smith originally missed-out after the trails on a spot in the England team for the Home International Series next week versus Scotland, Wales and Ireland but got a late call-up last week as a reserve when one of the named leads withdrew.

“Obviously delighted with my call up to the England squad, I have wanted this for a very long time,” admitted Smith.

“I must admit I thought I may have missed the boat having not been selected initially, but now I have I intend to take my opportunity if I get a game in the series.

And he added: “I have felt for a while that I have earned my place in the squad with my form over the last two seasons so now it's down to me.”