ROYAL Wootton Bassett’s men missed out in their bid to record a hat-trick of men’s national championship titles this season at Royal Leamington Spa.

They had already won the senior fours title last month courtesy of veterans Kevin Embling, Graham Richards, Alan Small and Dave Snell, as well as the national fours thanks to the rink of Kyle Anderson, Michael Snell, Dave Godwin and Steve Snell.

However, the Bassett side who had battled their way through numerous rounds to reach the last eight clubs still standing in the national Top Club tournament went out in the quarter-finals at Leamington.

Bassett ended up with the short straw in the last eight, being paired with reigning champions Kings BC from Torquay, Devon.

They found the going extremely tough against and only won one of the five disciplines – the fours, with Kyle Anderson, Phil Gregory, Chris Cheesley and Steve Snell recording a 19-12 success.

Bassett unfortunately lost in both the two and four wood singles against current England internationals Louis Ridout and Sam Tolchard respectively as well as the pairs and triples disciplines.

Box ladies, from west Wiltshire, also lost in the quarter-finals of the women’s Top Club competition.

They drew with Sutton 2-2 on disciplines but lost out to the Surrey side on shots difference 74-65.