MARTIN SELWAY retained his title, winning the third North Wilts Open Singles tournament at the weekend.

Selway also set a record becoming the first player since the Open Singles Circuit (OSC) - previously known as planetbowls circuit - was introduced four years ago to win the same open tournament two years in a row.

Last year the Welshman from the Islwyn indoor club, near Caerphilly, Gwent, beat local North Wilts player Jean Collier in the final.

This time around in the 2016 final Selway outgunned another Wiltshire player, coming from a set down to defeat Swindon Westlecot’s Mike Titcombe on a tie breaker 2-0 after the players had tied on sets one each 5-6 and 9-3 respectively.

For the runner-up, 20-year-old Swindon lad Titcombe, he still awaits his maiden OSC title success having lost in the Wey Valley (Guildford) final at the end of January.

However, he did have the consolation of pocketing the runners-up cheque of £500.

Holder Selway began the defence of his crown on Saturday afternoon with a 2-0 victory over tournament director Dave Williams but was pushed in the next by recent Loddon Vale (Basingstoke) winner Sean Gingell (Egham, Surrey), winning the first set 6-3 and drawing the second 6-6 to edge home 1.5-0.5 in sets.

On Sunday, Selway was taken to the limit in his next four matches.

In round three (last 16) he beat Matt Short (Camberley) in a tight game 2-1 (6-5, 5-6, 2-1) and in the quarter-finals, came from behind to beat Cornwall’s Norman Coad (Bodmin) 2-1 (5-6, 7-5, 2-1).

Another 2-1 success followed in the semi-finals over England U25 international BJ Byles (Whiteknights, Reading) to set up the chance to defend his title against Titcombe.

Selway lost the first set narrowly 6-5 on the seventh and last end but bounced back superbly to take the second 9-3, then won the first two ends of the tie breaker to retain his crown and pocket the £1,000 top prize.

Losing finalist Titcombe (Swindon Westlecot) had comprehensive 2-0 victories over home player Miles Pickering 10-2 and 8-2 and followed that with an 8-1, 11-0 success over Tony Parsons (Taunton Deane).

His impressive start to the tournament continued on Sunday morning, beating Russell Francis (Clarrie Dunbar) in the third round, last 16, 2-0 (7-3, 10-1).

The Westlecot player edged home in his quarter final 2-0 winning both sets by a single shot 7-6 and 6-5 against teenage star Nicole Rogers (Loddon Vale, Basingstoke).

In the semi-finals Titcombe accounted for world championship quarter-finalist and world ranked number 13 Mark Royal, who is currently placed second on the Open Singles Circuit rankings.

Despite leading the first set against Royal 6-0 with three ends to go Titcombe lost it 7-6 but bounced back superbly to take the second 9-1.

He then held his nerve in the tie breaker to win it 2-1 and book his place in his second OSC final in the last seven weeks.

Otherwise, it was a struggle for Wiltshire bowlers.

The best were Russell Francis (Clarrie Dunbar) who went out in round three to Titcombe and Ian Jefferies (Westlecot) who lost out in round three on a tie breaker 2-1 to Bodmin’s Norman Coad, a previous OSC winner. But no home player went further than round two (last 32).

Tournament director Williams declared the event, co-sponsored by the Gazette & Herald, another resounding success, saying: “It was a very successful weekend again and everyone playing or watching seemed to enjoy it and have fun.

“There was some excellent bowling once again and we can confirm that we will be staging our fourth tournament on the Open Singles Circuit, on the same weekend next year.”

Williams continued: “We started with 72 players from all over the country including some of the higher ranked circuit leaders.

Williams added: A big thank you must go to our sponsors Bowlamania, Corsham Print, Beazer Electrical Services, Wadworth Brewery, FW Jones & Son as well as the Wiltshire Gazette & Herald who all helped to boost our prize fund to £2,350.

“Of course a big thank you must also go to the club members who gave their invaluable help to organise and run this event throughout the weekend and of course the umpires and numerous markers.”

RESULTS

Last 16 (round three): Ian Jefferies (Westlecot) lost to Norman Coad (Bodmin) 1-2 (4-8, 9-3, 1-2); BJ Byles (Whiteknights, Reading) beat Martin Shepherd (Chipping Norton) 2-1 (6-7, 8-3, 2-0); Ryan Atkins (Malvern Hills) lost to Barry Jenkins (Egham) 0-2 (6-7, 5-10); Martin Selway (holder, Islwyn, Wales) beat Matt Short (Camberley) 2-1 (6-5, 5-6, 2-1); Phil Pugh (Camberley) lost to Paul Maynard (Foxhill, Aylesbury) 0-2 (1-10, 1-8); Russell Francis (Clarrie Dunbar) lost to Mike Titcombe (W’lecot) 0-2 (3-7, 1-10); Tom Warner lost to Nicole Rogers (Loddon Vale, Basingstoke) 1-2 (7-5, 2-7, 1-2); Mark Royal (Risbygate, Bury St. Edmunds, Suffolk) beat Danny Denison (Torquay Utd) 2-0 (10-5, 8-1).

Quarter-finals: B Jenkins lost to M Royal 0-2 (4-7, 2-6); BJ Byles beat P Maynard 2-0 (6-5, 7-2); N Rogers lost M Titcombe 0-2 (6-7, 5-6); M Selway beat N Coad 2-1 (5-6, 7-5, 2-1).

Semi-finals: M Royal lost M Titcombe 1-2 (7-6, 1-9, 1-2); B J Byles lost to M Selway 1-2 (5-6, 6-2, 0-2).

FINAL: M Selway beat M Titcombe 2-1 (5-6, 9-3, 2-0).