MIKE Titcombe bids to become the first Westlecot male indoor bowler to win a national championship title this weekend when he competes in the U25 finals at City of Ely.

He booked his spot in the last 16 of the competition when beating former Westlecot team-mate Craig Morphet (Carterton) in the Area 14 final 2-0 in sets.

Titcombe commences his bid for glory with a first round tie against Area 4 champion Paul Oke (Sleaford, Lincs).

  • WESTLECOT bowlers have been deeply involved in national championship events in Area 14 in the past week.

In the mixed pairs semi-finals, Jayne Croston and Chris Cheesley staged a remarkable recovery to reach the area final.

They were 16-11 down going into the last end of their clash against Lucy Smith and Michael Titcombe (Westlecot) but grabbed a big count of six to snatch a 17-16 victory to win through to the area final against Whiteknights IBC (Reading) on February 2.

In the mixed fours competition, the foursome of Lucy, Katy and Neil Smith (skip) plus Ian Jefferies edged into the area final after beating Andrew Docherty and his team from Banbury on the last end of their semi.

They will be seeking to book a place in the last 16 when they face Chris Hitt and his team from Whiteknights on February 1.

  • THE DAVID Cornwall Mixed U25 double rinks competition has been changed this season.

Instead of featuring two rinks of four players, it has been switched to a triples competition.

On Monday, the Westlecot team scored a resounding third round success by beating Bristol 38-23 after thrashing Oxford City and County 45-14 in round two.

Away at Bristol City & County, the trio of Katy Smith, Phil Gregory and Mike Titcombe won their match 18-15, while at home at Westlecot, George Twine, Lucy Smith and Kyle Anderson won 20-8.

Westlecot will play Torquay United in the quarter-finals on March 4.

  • THE MEN'S main events in the national championships in singles, pairs, triples and fours are reaching boiling point in Area 14.

Mike Titcombe is through to the singles semi-finals following a 21-12 victory over Carterton’s Andy McIntyre.

Westlecot still have three combinations actively involved in the pairs.

Dave Snell and Mel Biggs beat Andrew Docherty (Banbury) 16-12 to book a semi-final place against either club colleague Chris Cheesley and Neil Smith or Dave Godwin and Kyle Anderson who have not played their quarter-final tie yet.

The two Westlecot triples teams of Biggs, Smith and Ian Jefferies as well as Graham Hatherall, Tom Pittuck and Craig Hatherall have both reached the semi-finals. They are due to play each other by February 18.

In the fours competition, the quartet of Graham and Craig Hatherall, Pittuck and Denis Holborow have yet to play their quarter-final against Sam Watt’s foursome from Oxford City and County.