SUNDAY produced further disappointment for Westlecot in their bid for glory in the latter stages of national competition events.

Dave Snell, who had won the men’s Area 10 Over 60s singles title a fortnight earlier, lost 21-5 in the inter-area final to Area 15 winner Richard Kozlowski (West Berks, Newbury) at Oxford City and County IBC.

The defeat ended Snell’s dream of notching a senior men’s singles double, as he won the outdoor title last August at Royal Leamington Spa.

“Although I played quite well you wouldn't think so by the score but that is bowls,” said Snell.

“Richard played well and deserved to win, albeit by a smaller margin.

“I've had a great run of 16 games at this level (senior singles Over 55s or 60s) with the first defeat today, so I am now looking forward to trying and defend my outdoor title.”

With these two losses Westlecot will therefore only be represented in two main events at this season’s national indoor finals at Melton & District in early April – ladies singles and men’s fours championships.

Lucy Smith has qualified for the last 16 in the ladies singles for the second year in a row, while the quartet of Kevin Embling, Chris Cheesley, Ian Jefferies and Neil Smith are through to the last 16 in the men’s national fours.

Westlecot’s Sunday treble of defeats was completed in the evening when Neil Smith lost in the opening round in the World Bowls Tour International Open being staged this week at Blackpool Newton Hall IBC.

Smith lost two sets to nil against sixth seed and England international Merv King (Gallow IBC, Fakenham, Norfolk).