DAVE Snell missed out in the defence of his senior singles title at the National Championships at Royal Leamington Spa last weekend.

The 68-year-old Wootton Bassett stalwart and Middleton Cup inter-county player/manager won his first three Over 55 matches but went out in the semi-finals 21-11 to Kevin Phillips (Topsham, Exeter).

Devon’s Phillips adapted better to the difficult conditions than Snell and was in control throughout, leading 5-2 at five ends, 10-5 at nine and 16-8 at 15.

“Obviously I am disappointed to lose but I have had a great run in this tournament,” said Snell. “Counting last year when I won the title that was my 19th game in the senior singles competition and my first defeat - a great record with a national title and then to reach the semi-final again."

“Kevin deserved to win he played better than me in the heavy rain and it was pleasing to see him go on and win the tournament final.

“I still can’t really believe the success I have had in the senior section over the last three years with two pairs titles with Mel (Biggs) plus my singles title last year and now the semis this year.”

“Now I am looking forward to a break from bowls and a holiday but I will be back again next year hoping to get to Leamington once again in as many competitions as I can.”

HOLDERS Wootton Bassett are still on course to defend their Wiltshire Four Rink League crown.

They have qualified for the men’s league semi-finals in the end-of-season play-offs after a comfortable victory over Area D champions Amesbury in the last eight. They took the honours on all four rinks to win 87-57 overall.

Skips Dave Godwin and Steve Snell led the way with 26-14 and 24-14 victories respectively.

The semi-finals will be played this Sunday on neutral greens, with Bassett facing Holt at Chippenham Town, while Spencer Moulton play Westlecot at Swindon West End.

NORTH WILTS ladies have won the northern section in the Wiltshire Ladies Top Ten competition and qualified for the final.

They beat Westlecot on shots difference in the North final after the two clubs were tied 2-2 on disciplines.

The Chippenham club took the honours in the triples, winning by a healthy 20 shots, and the pairs by eight. This margin easily compensated for the losses in the singles and fours.

North Wilts will now face holders Box on finals weekend at Devizes on September 5-6.

CHIPPENHAM TOWN will stage the quarter and semi-finals in the men’s county competitions in three events this Saturday.

They will play down to the last two in the unbadged singles, over 60s triples as well as champion of champions, with the two finalists in each event progressing to finals day at Devizes on September 5-6.