TOP GUNS lived up to their team name as they won the annual Swindon Floodlight Tournament, on their Shrivenham Road green.

The Rodbourne Cheney side, containing two ex-Swindon players, gunned down Tetbury in the Friday night final by four shots to lift the trophy and collect the £200 first prize,in the event, sponsored by A C Watson & Son, Building Contractors and Coors ,which was played all last week .

Top Guns began the final well and held a 7-3 lead after five ends.

They had moved 10-5 up after nine but then dropped a four on the next and their advantage was down to one shot over Tetbury.

However, Top Guns regrouped and collected three singles on the last three ends to run-out deservedly 13-9 winners.

Earlier in the semi-finals they had trailed The Hopefuls (Swindon) 6-3 at five ends but drawn level at 6-6 after eight. They then killed-off the match with counts of two and a massive seven on the next two to eventually win 17-7.

In sharp contrast, in the other semi-final Tetbury snatched victory on the last end from Scorpions (Stratton Churchway) skipped by the experienced Alan Gough.

After winning the first two ends Tetbury were 6-3 down at five ends but won the next four to lead 9-6 only to drop a five on the tenth to trail Gough’s rink 11-9.

But Tetbury scored a single on the 11th end and a two on the 12th for a last gasp 12-11 win and a place in the final against Top Guns.

Twelve teams entered the Swindon Floodlight Tournament this year, drew their own starting positions and played four matches over 18 ends or two hours from Monday to Thursday.

Three points were awarded for a win and one for a draw with shot difference if necessary deciding the final league table positions with the top four teams advancing to the semi-finals.

Scorpions from Stratton Churchway were the only unbeaten team in the initial league matches winning three and drawing the other to top the table with ten points.

Top Guns with three wins out of four for nine points edged out Tetbury for second on shots difference while The Hopefuls took fourth and the last place in the semi-finals with nine points also.

Sponsor Andy Watson presented the winners cheque for £200 to Top Guns and the runners-up prize of £100 to Tetbury while the two losing semi-finalists each received £50 each.

While Swindon club president Bob Hiles presented the perpetual trophy to Top Guns captain David Murray.

“It was another very successful and well supported tournament,” said organiser Jim O’Leary. “And the weather was kind to us this year which was helpful.

“This floodlight tournament has become an established date in the local bowls calendar and we will be back again next year running it once more.”

RESULTS

Standings: 1 Scorpions (Stratton Churchway) 10pts; 2 Top Guns (Rodbourne Cheney) 9pts (+43 shots); 3 Tetbury 9pts (+35); 4 The Hopefuls (Swindon) 9pts (+12); 5 Kitty Hunters (Westlecot) 6pts (+31); 6 Malmesbury 6pts (+2); 7 Be Up (Swindon) 6pts (- 6); 8 X2+2 (West End) 6pts (-6).

Semi-finals (12 ends): Tetbury (Ben Williams, Roger Bird, Mal Curtis & Pete Stinchcombe) beat Scorpions (Nigel Hopkins, Ian Ricketts, Graham Strevens & Alan Gough) 12-11. Top Guns (David Murray, Dan Harvey, Dave Terry & Stuart Murray) beat The Hopefuls (Julie Watson, Josie Lloyd, Andy Watson & Geoff Porte) 17-7.

FINAL (13 ends): Top Guns - Rodbourne Cheney (Kevin Carter, D and S Murray & Mike Titcombe) beat Tetbury (B Williams, R Bird, M Curtis & P Stinchcombe ) 13-9.