NEIL SMITH is knocking hard on the door again and bidding to break onto next season’s World Bowls Tour indoor scene by claiming one of two coveted Tour Cards that are on offer.

A member of the Swindon Westlecot Indoor Club but who plays his outdoor bowls for Royal Wootton Bassett, Smith has reached the last 16 of the Tour Card play-offs at Blackpool’s Newton Hall, this weekend.

The Peatmoor resident made a successful indoor international debut for England in a Mixed Test Match against Wales last September and is no stranger to the WBT Tour Card play-off scene, having suffered the agony of losing out in the final three times in the last four years.

The 49-year-old missed out on a tour card and a place amongst the world’s elite players in 2012 by losing to Jamie Chestney, then the following year, fell at the final hurdle to Billy Jackson, and in 2014, he had to settle for second-best after losing to Carlisle’s Ben Sherwen.

Smith is now hoping to make it fourth time lucky this time around at Blackpool after booking his place there again in the last 16 and WBT Tourcard play-offs with victory at Bromley IBC in the European Masters qualifier.

“This will be the sixth Tour Card finals and will be my fifth finals,” said Smith. “Unfortunately, I have lost in the final three times in the past in 2012, 2013, and then again the following year.”

However, Smith goes into this year’s Tour Card finals full of confidence and in very good form.

“I really like the Blackpool green,” he said, “I have always played well there, so this year is no different.

“I am going there confident and in form, having played well in the PBA (Professional Bowls Association) qualifiers, reaching two semis.

“Hopefully, this will be my year to finally get the prize I have been after for a number of years.”

Smith’s first game in the quarter-finals is against Brian Hawkins from Clarrie Dunbar (Frome).