MIKE Titcombe just missed out on securing his maiden victory on the nationwide Open Singles Circuit last weekend in Chippenham at the North Wilts Indoor Bowls Club tournament.

It was the second time in two months that the 20-year-old Westlecot player, a supporter of the circuit for the past few seasons, had reached a tournament final only to fall at the last fence.

He had to give second best on January 24 to Egham’s Steve Tuohy in the final of the Wey Valley (Guildford) Open losing in sets 1.5-0.5. He drew the first set 7-7 but lost the second 6-2.

This time around at North Wilts last Sunday Titcombe lost in a final again despite drawing 1-1 in sets. He went down in a best of three ends deciding tie breaker 2-0 to Welshman Martin Selway.

It was a superb showing from Titcombe who won the first set 6-5 against Welshman Martin Selway (Islwyn, Caerphilly, Gwent) but lost the second set 9-3 and the best of three ends tie breaker 2-0 with Selway retaining his North Wilts title and becoming the first player since the Open Singles Circuit (OSC) - previously known as planetbowls circuit - was introduced four years ago to win the same open tournament two years in a row.

However, Westlecot youngster Titcombe had the consolation of collecting the North Wilts runners-up prize and his biggest Open Singles Circuit (OSC) bowls cheque ever of £500.

Losing finalist Titcombe opened his North Wilts tournament campaign with two comprehensive 2-0 wins beating home player Miles Pickering 10-2 and 8-2 and followed that with an 8-1, 11-0 success over Tony Parsons (Taunton Deane).

Titcombe’s impressive start to the tournament continued on Sunday morning with another powerful display despatching Russell Francis (Clarrie Dunbar) in the third round, last 16, 2-0 (7-3, 10-1).

After three easy wins the Westlecot player edged home in his quarter-final tie 2-0 winning both sets by a single shot 7-6 and 6-5 against teenage star Nicole Rogers (Loddon Vale, Basingstoke).

And in the semi-finals Titcombe accounted for world championship quarter-finalist and world ranked no.13 Mark Royal who is currently placed second on the Open Singles Circuit rankings.

Despite leading the first set against Royal 6-0 with three ends to go Titcombe lost it 7-6 but bounced back superbly to take the second 9-1.

He then held his nerve in the tie breaker to win it 2-1 and book his place in his second OSC final in the last eight weeks however, his splendid run came to an end at the hands of Selway.

Despite the disappointment of losing in the final Titcombe’s efforts in Chippenham see him rise to 12th in the OSC rankings, odds on to stay in the top 48 and qualify for the first time for the end of season (2015/16) Grand Final at Northampton in October with a £3,000 plus prize pool.

Of the other local players taking part only Ian Jefferies reached the third round as well as Titcombe. But Jefferies went out on a tiebreaker 2-1 losing to Bodmin, Cornwall’s Norman Coad 4-8, 9-3, 1-2.

THIS EASTER period several players from the Westlecot indoor club will be taking part in the Torquay (Devon) and Dolphin (Poole, Dorset) OSC tournaments.

Neil Smith and his two daughters Lucy and Katy were taking part in the Torquay United Open singles tournament yesterday and today.

Then they are due to motor up from Devon to Poole, Dorset for the Dolphin tournament on Easter Sunday and Monday.

They will be joined in Poole by four Westlecot team colleagues headed by Mike Titcombe, runner-up at North Wilts, last weekend.

Also entered at Poole are Craig Morphet, Michael Richards and Steve Remington.