ROYAL Wootton Bassett's foursome of Barry Sictorness, Terry Walton, Chris Cheesley and Mel Biggs (skip) have qualified for national final of the men’s senior (Over 55) fours.

They will face Durham representatives Dipton Park (near Consett/Stanley, Co.Durham) at the national championships at Royal Leamington Spa this afternoon at 2.30pm.

Bassett booked their place in the final with a hard-fought 21-18 semi-finals win this morning against Warwickshire quartet Phil Birch, Richard Lewis, Steve Taylor and skip Colin Jacox (Avenue Club, Coventry).

Bassett were 5-2 down after seven ends but hit back to lead 8-5 three ends later. Biggs quartet were pulled back to 10-10 at 14 ends but had pulled 15-10 clear after 17 with only four ends left to play.

However, on the next, the 18th end, Bassett dropped a four and saw their lead cut drastically to only 15-14.

Biggs’ four re-grouped and sealed an 18-14 victory with a trio of singles to book a place in the final against Durham.

Royal Wootton Bassett senior fours team earlier had beaten Chichester (Sussex) 21-12 in the last 32 and yesterday in the second round accounted for Carterton (Oxon) led by Paul Sharman 21-17.

They followed it later in the day with a comfortable 22-13 win over Holgate WMC (Yorks) to qualify for today’s semi-finals.