CLARRIE Dunbar's men's trio lost out in the semi finals of the English Indoor National Championships at Melton Mowbray today.

The Standerwick club-based threesome of Craig Doughty, Russell Francis and Graham Shadwell were defeated 16-9 by the all-England Cyphers (Beckenham) trio of Paul Field, Andy Thomson and Tom Doig.

Thomson went on to create a remarkable record as Cyphers won the final against Wellingborough.

England's Scots-born team captain has already won this title twice - but, if he wins it again this afternoon, thirty four years will have elapsed since he won it for the first time in 1981, shortly after moving south.