WILTSHIRE’S men saw their hopes of national glory in the Liberty Trophy left in tatters at Nottingham as they felt the full force of a powerful Kent side in a heavy 124-60 loss in the semi-finals.

The county were appearing in the last four of the national inter-counties competition for the first time in 21 years last Saturday but things did not go to plan.

Moonrakers had played exceptionally well to make the semis, collecting a big scalp on the way by knocking out holders Devon in the quarter-finals, but found life extremely tough against a very strong Kent side as they trailed 40-20 after five ends overall and never recovered.

The damage was done mainly on two rinks as Westlecot’s Ian Jefferies and Mike Titcombe’s rinks were 19-1 down and 21-1 down respectively at 10 ends.

The Wiltshire duo eventually lost 31-7 and 29-6 respectively, so the combined 60-13 deficit was a killer blow to any hopes of overall success and a place in the final.

The other four Wiltshire rinks were involved in competitive matches.

Christie Miller’s Andy Moore and his foursome lost 16-5, while the rink of Westlecot’s Phil Gregory were beaten 17-12.

Player/manager Neil Smith’s four led all the way until a late Kent run saw them edged out 14-13.

The all-Five Rivers, Salisbury, rink led by Tom Warner were involved in a tight tussle and drew 17-17.

Smith said: “I am very disappointed that we couldn’t produce the same display as we did against Devon in the quarter-finals.

“Unfortunately, a few players were poor and it cost us at the start. Still, it is something to build on for next season.”

However, Smith has the consolation of leading Wiltshire to their best season in the inter-county championship since the glory days of the 1990s when they reached three semis, two finals and one title victory.

The county men’s defeat at Nottingham means that Wiltshire bowlers failed to win a national title this season.

The closest they came to a national title was five losing semi-finalists.

They were: Mike Titcombe in the U25 singles and main singles; Katy, Lucy Smith, Ian Jefferies and Neil Smith in the mixed fours; the county men in the Liberty Trophy and North Wilts player Alex Jacobs in O60 ladies singles.

  • THE indoor season has drawn to a close with the outdoor campaign due to open fully this weekend, with several opening drives due to take place.

The first county games are two men’s U25s friendly matches against Somerset on April 22 at Chippenham Town and against Oxfordshire on May 5 at Swindon Bowls Club.

The county men stage an opening Middleton Cup trial at Royal Wootton Bassett on May 12, while the county ladies will be holding two Johns Trophy inter-counties trial games at Wroughton on May 5 and Devizes on May 10.

Under the leadership of new president Stewart Allison (Chippenham Park), the county men play a mixed friendly match against Swindon & District BA at Swindon BC on May 6.

While the men’s S&D Four Rink Evening League kicks-off on April 26, although Stratton Churchway B have withdrawn from the league.