WESTLECOT just failed in their bid to be crowned the top outdoor club in England.

They were beaten at Worthing 3-2 by Felixstowe and Suffolk in the final of the National Top Club competition.

This new event featuring 11 players and five disciplines two and four wood singles, pairs, triples and fours was introduced this season to celebrate the English Bowling Association's centenary.

Westlecot, who had earlier in the day overcome Wellingborough 3-2 met Felixstowe and Suffolk, conquers of Shepshed in the other semi-final, in the final.

They made a poor start with Kevin Embling losing the two wood singles 18-7 to England's John Rednall.

The match was poised in similar fashion to the semi-final, with Westlecot leading in the Fours and Pairs but behind in the Triples, it was again left to Neil Hope to give them the boost of a win in the four-bowl singles.

Hope battled away against seasoned opponent Clive Webb, but after keeping in touch for much of the match he dropped a number of shots and was staring defeat in the face.

He rallied with a count of four and with the score at 20-12 to Webb, he drew an excellent final wood to hold the shot.

Webb had his last bowl to play and managed to displace Hope's shot to take the match.

Westlecot were now 2-0 down and despite winning 19-12 in the Fours and 17-16 in the Pairs, the Triples had left themselves too much to do and they slipped to a 19-7 defeat giving Felixstowe a 3-2 success and winners trophy.

In the morning semi-finals Westlecot were dealt an early blow as Kevin Embling lost the two-bowl singles 14-9.

With the Fours and Pairs in the lead but the Triples trailing, it was vital that Neil Hope won his four-bowl singles against the vastly experienced Paul Broderick.

The match see-sawed throughout, but reached 20-20. Broderick held shot and with his final bowl, Hope managed to displace it to take the one shot he needed for victory.

Mark Dyer led his four to a 21-13 win and Steve Warren inspired a 26-16 success in the Pairs.

The triple, skipped by Ian Jefferies, closed the gap but eventually went down 21-15, however, Westlecot still went through to the final with a 3-2 victory to face Felixstowe and Suffolk who had seen off the challenge of Shepshed 4-1.

"It was a very good performance to even get this far in the competition," said Westlecot's Mark Dyer.

"But of course it is disappointing to lose in a national final.

"We did not do it on the day but a couple of breaks and it could have been different. But I suppose we are the second best club in the country from an initial entry of over 1,000 clubs which is heartening.

"We have a lot to be proud of and hope that they will run it again next year and can go one better."

Results

(Final v Felixstowe)

Two Wood Singles: Kevin Embling lost to John Rednall 8-17.

Four Wood Singles: Neil Hope lost to Clive Webb 12-21.

Pairs: John Thomas and Steve Warren beat Andy Meikle and Adrian Holden 17-16.

Triples: Graham Hatherall, Mike Jackson and Ian Jefferies lost to Steve Mayes, Brian Insley and Gary Cooper 7-19.

Fours: Mike Hall, Mike Shawyer, Mel Biggs and Mark Dyer beat Ian Meikle, Mel Saggars, Len Fordham and John Roper 19-12.

Westlecot lost to Felixstowe and Suffolk 2-3.

(Semi-final v Wellingborough)

Two Wood Singles: Kevin Embling lost to Mark Corbyn 9-14.

Four Wood Singles: Neil Hope beat Paul Broderick 21-20.

Pairs: John Thomas and Steve Warren beat Neil Rees and Neil Corbyn 25-16.

Triples: Graham Hatherall, Mike Jackson and Ian Jefferies lost to Gerry Sharp, Darren Lyman and Maurice Allen 15-22.

Fours: Mike Hall, Mike Shawyer, Mel Biggs and Mark Dyer beat Dennis Collins, Brian Rees, Walt Windsor and John Marlow 21-13.

Westlecot beat Wellingborough 3-2.

PURTON open Wiltshire's challenge in the four major national championships at Worthing.

The quartet of Miles Roberts, Mark Wadsworth, Chris Cheesley and Ray Sowden, who lost in the Wiltshire final on an extra end to Alderbury, face Durham in the first round. Alderbury play Norfolk.

MEL BIGGS, Neil Hope and Mark Dyer, members of Westlecot's losing Top Club finalists team return to Worthing on Thursday to face Warwickshire in the triples. And Wootton Bassett's trio of Richard Buckland, Hedley Bowen and Rob Clews will play Somerset.

SWINDON & District Bowling Association were beaten in their friendly match against Ealing and District.

They went down by 16 shots at Purton when losing 131-115.

They only took the honours on two rinks with president Mike Large and Les Gingell leading their respective fours to 11 and 14 shot successes respectively, while Derek Gipson drew.

The S&D representative teams next match is tomorrow (Wednesday) when they play Wiltshire Masonics at Supermarine.

Results v Ealing

Ivor Rumble lost 11-30; Eddie Wells lost 15-26; Mike Large won 24-13; Les Gingell won 26-12; Dave Woodbridge lost 18-29; Derek Gipson drew 21-21.