GRAHAM SHADWELL carries Clarrie Dunbar’s final chance of a national indoor title success this season.

He competes this weekend in the men’s singles in the final block of the national championships at Melton & District.

Clarrie began these championships with an involvement in three men’s disciplines - singles, pairs and fours - however, they have already missed out on the latter two.

Craig Hadfield-Doughty and Shadwell were first up for Dunbar in the pairs but were pipped at the post in a hard-fought last 32 game on the final end by Carlisle (Cumbria) duo Stuart Irwin and Kevin Harrison 20-19.

The scores were tied 6-6 at five ends, however, Cumbria edged ahead 13-11 at 10 ends but parity was restored at 15 ends, 15-15. Cumbria edged 18-16 up at 18 and held on for a 20-19 victory on the last end.

Second up were the quartet of John Freeman, Clarrie owner Brian Hawkins, Keith Bailey and Barry Barry, who had booked a last 16 place in the fours with a hard fought 19-17 win in the inter-area fours final over Area 29 winners Taunton Deane.

In their first match at Melton, the Clarrie four were taken all the way by the Egham (Surrey) quartet of Trevor Hoy, Barry and Ian Jenkins and Steve Tuohy, with an extra end needed to decide the match in Clarrie’s favour 17-16.

Clarrie trailed 5-2 at five ends and 9-7 at 10 but had moved 14-11 ahead at 15. However, the scores were tied again 16-16 at 21 ends but the Dunbar four won the extra end with a single for a 17-16 win.

However, in the quarter-finals against the Bedford Borough quartet of Chris Beard, Mark Curtis, Graham White and Russell Thompson, Clarrie trailed throughout. They were 11-4 down at 10 ends, 16-8 down at 18 and finally lost 17-11.

That fours loss leaves Clarrie’s hopes of success in this year’s nationals resting firmly with England international Shadwell in the men’s singles.

He opens his bid for glory in the last 32 today at 10am against Andrew Harding (Grattons, Crawley, W Sussex) with the second round at 7pm if successful against either Tom Smith (Erewash, Long Eaton, Notts) or Adam White (Chawton Park, Alton, Hants).

The quarter and semi-finals are scheduled for tomorrow, with the final set for Sunday at 9.30am.

THE FINAL sessions of the EIBA championship this weekend coincide with clubs in the Wiltshire Times area beginning their 2016 outdoor bowling season with the traditional opening drives.