PURTON missed out on booking a place in the semi-finals of the county men’s Four Rink League play-offs.

They were beaten 89-65 by holders Chippenham Town in the quarter-finals last Monday.

Purton, who finished third in the North section behind Westlecot and Royal Wootton Bassett, put up a stern challenge but fell away in the latter stages.

They made an extremely slow start and were trailing 29-6 after only five ends but had rallied to only be 40-29 adrift after 10.

Purton cut the gap to 56-46 at the three-quarters mark but that was the nearest they got to the opposition.

Chippenham upped their game and over the last six ends scored 33 shots and only conceded 19 to claim a comfortable 89-65 success.

Purton only took the honours on one of the four rinks but should have won on another.

The lone success came from the foursome of Andrew Hunt, Peter Fry, Graham Clinch and Ken Gardiner 23-18.

Josh Fail’s quartet lost 20-18 despite leading 18-7 after 17, while Colin Baker’s rink went down 23-16.

The big difference in the final score was mainly due to the heavy 28-8 loss suffered by Dave Jones’ foursome.

Chippenham progress to the semi-finals and will face Westlecot, who they edged out last season in the semi-finals.

Westlecot thumped Spencer Moulton 94-31 in the last eight last week.

The two remaining quarter-finals featuring Royal Wootton Bassett and Highworth will be played on Sunday. Bassett play Salisbury, while Highworth meet Holt.