NORTH Wilts Indoor Bowls Club stage their fifth annual Open Singles Tournament this weekend at their green in Westcroft, Chippenham.

The tournament is part of the Open Singles Circuit (OSC) and is event number 18 of 26 in the series, which culminates with the top 32 players from all the national tournaments playing in a grand final later in the year at Potters Leisure, Great Yarmouth, home of the world bowls championships.

In total, 72 players have entered the North Wilts tournament, with the singles knockout stages being held on Saturday and Sunday, with the final held at 6.30pm on day two.

Total prize money on offer is £2,300 with the top prize of £1,000 going to winner and £500 to the runner-up.

Last year’s winner, Ian Jenkins (Egham, Surrey), returns to defend his title, while two-times winner in 2015 and 2016, Martin Selway (Islwyn, Wales), also returns.

The top ranked player in the field is England’s Mark Royal (Risbygate, Bury St Edmunds, Suffolk), the world number 13.

There are also 10 of the top 32 in the OSC rankings competing led by numbers one and two, Paul Maynard (Foxhill, Aylesbury) and Scott Edwards (Oxford City & County).

There will be a number of club members from North Wilts taking part as well as several players from both Christie Miller and Clarrie Dunbar.

Admission to the tournament is free, with the club restaurant open throughout and bar facilities available both days from 10am.

The Gazette and Herald is among the sponsors of the event along with local businesses Beazer Electrics, Bowlamania, Corsham Print, FW Jones & Son, Matthew Clarke and McCarthy & Stone.

A grand raffle will take place, with prizes donated including a set of Drakes Pride Bowls, any size, any model, valued at approximately £275.

Further information on the North Wilts Open Singles and the club can be found at www.nwbowls.co.uk.

  • WILTSHIRE’S county men’s side, who have suffered a couple of heavy defeats recently against Berkshire and Somerset, dodged the bad weather to record a rare success in their friendly against Middlesex.

They won 106-103 at home at North Wilts and, led by president Ashley Ponting, they took the honours on thee rinks, drew on another and lost on two.

Top honours went to the rink of Graham Richards, Gerry Vincent, Bob Roberts-Phare and Dave Richards, who won their game 22-11.

Clive Swift skipped his rink to a 21-15 win, Martin Salter drew 17-17 and in the presidents battle, Wiltshire’s Ponting took the honours over Andy Docker in a 20-15 success.

However three days later, despite winning on four rinks and only losing on two, Wiltshire went down 121-118 to Warwickshire at Avon Valley.