THE NATIONAL men’s and women’s championships and competitions that have been contested for the past four weeks at Victoria Park, Royal Leamington Spa, end this weekend, with Royal Wootton Bassett carrying this area’s last hopes of another 2016 national title success.

Gary Morphet and his son Craig, competing for the first time together, won the family pairs on day two of this year’s championships – Wiltshire’s only success to date.

Now, on the final three days, Bassett are deeply involved in two events.

David Godwin had reached the quarter-finals in the men’s singles on Friday (yesterday) after three fine victories in the opening rounds.

He overcame England junior international Jake Willgress (Norfolk BC, Norwich) 21-9 and followed it up in round two with a 21-10 success over Keith Holloway (Banbury Borough, Oxon) before booking his quarter-final place with a 21-16 victory over Cornishman Alan Hawke (St Austell).

In the last eight, Godwin was due to face Simon Green (Sandwich, Kent) who in round three edged out former England international Vinnie O’Neill (Middlesbrough, Yorkshire) 21-20 on the last end.

Yesterday also saw the Smith family – Neil and daughters Lucy and Katy – together with Bassett colleague Mel Biggs, enter the fray in the last 16 of the mixed fours when they faced a mixed quartet from Broadway, Worcestershire.

The Smiths, Dorset and Wiltshire champions, were hoping to go one better than in the indoor equivalent staged in February.

Together with Ian Jefferies in place of Biggs, they lost in the mixed fours final to the holders Blackpool Newton Hall 21-20 on a dramatic re-spotted last end after looking likely winners.

The Smith girls are also two of five local players who will be representing Wiltshire in the Amy Rose Trophy 31 years and under double rinks competition today. The other three are Bassett colleagues Maisie Daniell and Charlie Godwin, plus Highworth’s Joanna Richman.

After a first round walkover against Huntingdonshire, they face either Essex or Worcestershire in round two this afternoon.

  • ROYAL Wootton Bassett and Westlecot, who dominated Area B of this year’s men’s Wiltshire Four Rink League championship, have both reached the play-off semi-finals again.

The former thumped Swindon West End in the quarter-finals 105-42 while the latter recorded a 36-shot victory over Highworth in their 89-53 quarter-final win.

Over the past six seasons, three clubs – Westlecot, Bassett and west Wilts side Holt – have ruled the roost in the play-offs for the overall men’s Four Rink League championship title.

All three are again on course tomorrow (Sunday) for a place in the final at Devizes in a week’s time, with Amesbury, the Area D winners, joining the trio in the semi-finals.

Bassett, four rink winners in 2014 and runners-up in 2011 to Westlecot, face Amesbury in the semi-finals tomorrow morning (10am) on the neutral green at Holt.

Westlecot, winners in 2010, 2011 and 2013 but losing finalists last year, lock horns again with old adversaries and current reigning champions and also the 2012 winners Holt in the other semi-final at Chippenham Town (2.30pm).

  • THE thunderstorm that hit Swindon last Saturday afternoon halted play at Westlecot in the Wiltshire ladies two wood unbadged singles competition.

Three Wroughton players – Margaret Douthwaite, Judy Hallard and Jane Croston – had all reached the quarter-finals, plus Charlotte Daniell (Royal Wootton Bassett) at the Swindon Old Town Club but play was abandoned as both greens were flooded.

The last eight matches (quarter-finals) plus semi-finals and final will now be played on ladies county domestic finals day at Devizes next Saturday, September 10.