CHRISTIE Miller produced a brave showing but were just edged out in the men’s national championships in Nottingham on Tuesday.

The trio of Chris Easton, Nigel Price and Andy Moore were knocked out in the semi-finals of the men’s Over 50 triples 18-15 by the favourites Egham, Surrey, who lifted the title in the final 18-9 defeating Dorset side Dolphin (Poole) comfortably.

The Egham trio of Andy Beaumont, Barry Jenkins and Steve Tuohy led Melksham-based Christie Miller club, 5-1 after five ends and 12-4 after nine ends of their semi-final.

Egham had moved 14-8 ahead after 11 ends, when a wonder bowl from skip Andy Moore ditched the jack, and got rid of Egham's back bowl at a stroke.

Scoring five shots, the Wiltshire trio closed the gap to just one shot at 14-13, but the Surrey stars steadied the ship, and eventually got home 18-15 on the 16th and final end to book a place in the final against Dolphin (Poole).

Earlier the Christie Miller trio, beaten finalists four years ago, had booked their place in the last four with a hard-fought 12-9 quarter-final victory over Wey Valley (Surrey) team of Bill Short, Paul Vamvacopoulos and Ian Ross.

In a low scoring game – only 21 shots were scored over 16 ends – Moore’s trio led 5-2 after five ends and 10-3 at ten but had been pulled back to 12-8 at 15 and finally won 12-9 at 16.

Prior to the victory over Surrey side Wey Valley, the Miller men had cruised through the last 16 round defeating Bromsgrove’s Lew Whitehouse, Graham Arnold and Neil Brebreton 16-7.

They led 5-1 at five ends, 9-4 at ten and pulled away to a 16-7 success at 16 ends.

Although beaten in the semi-finals the Christie Miller team went the furthest this year in the national championships by reaching the last four.

Clarrie Dunbar's two representatives at Nottingham in the age group national championships both made earlier exits.

The foursome of Duncan Baxter, Alan Brown, Glyn Jones & Duncan McGovern lost 16-13 in the last 16 of the Over 60s mens fours competition to Sutton, Surrey in a tight match last Saturday.

They led 4-2 after five ends but were 7-6 down at ten. They had regained the lead to move 12-10 up after 15 ends but were pipped in the last three going down eventually 16-13.

While in the ladies Over 60 pairs competition Ruth Haines (substitute for Jeanette Wheeler) with Sue Bird switching to skip also went out in the first round (last 16) losing to Kingsthorpe, Northants duo Celia Morris and Diane Brumwell 25-15 on Wednesday.

Haines and Bird made a very slow start and were 11-2 down after five ends and 21-5 adrift after 10 but had re-grouped, blown away the nerves and hit back to only trail 21-14 at 15 ends. But the Kingsthorpe team bounced back to seal a 25-15 victory at 18 ends.

Dunbar have one more chance left of scooping a national team title for the first time.

The Top Club side are through to a home meeting with old adversaries Torquay United in the quarter-finals this Sunday (April 16, 10am).

Clarrie have announced a side for the quarter-final that shows two changes to the one that beat top Surrey side Egham (away) in the last round.

The two changes are both in the mixed fours team where Debbie Shadwell (on holiday) is replaced by Nicola Radcliffe and Russell Francis who was not available for the last round comes back into the team for Barry Barry.

TOP CLUB TEAM Home v Torquay Utd April 16 (10am).

Two Wood Singles - Ladies: Jeanette Wheeler. Men: Keith Bailey. Mixed Pairs: Marcia Hartley & Neil Collett. Mixed Triples: Thelma Bailey, Craig Hadfield-Doughty & Andy Colebrooke. Mixed Fours: Nicola Radcliffe, Kim Smith, Russell Francis & Graham Shadwell.