GRAHAM Shadwell's hopes of winning a gold medal in the men’s fours at the 2012 World Bowls Championships in Adelaide, Australia, took a big jolt on day four, writes DAVE EATON.

The Trowbridge bowler, who plays for Spencer Moulton (Bradford on Avon), and his England team colleagues of Mark Bantock, Robert Newman (both Reading) and skip Stuart Airey (Carlisle, Cumbria) lost their unbeaten record and top spot in Pool One of the fours championship.

They were beaten for the first time in their eighth game in the fours going down 18-11 to Ireland in their top of the table clash.

The Irish moved into pole position and followed up the win over England with a 19-11 victory over Wales to consolidate top place.

Shadwell and co shook off the disappointment with a comfortable 22-13 round nine 2 victory over Brunei.

Tomorrow (Wednesday) is the last day of group matches in the men’s fours and sees England play Spain (am) and then after lunch face fourth placed Wales in a vital last group game.

Currently Shadwell and his England fours colleagues lie in second place in the Pool One table with 14 points from nine matches, two behind Ireland, but one point ahead of three teams on 13 points - Malaysia, Wales and Namibia.

England must finish top to automatically qualify for the first fours semi-final. Second or third in pool one would see them go into a random draw in the post sectional play-offs along with second and third in pool two with the winners of the two matches joining the two Pool winners in the semi-finals.

In the other pool, hosts Australia lead the way on 15 points from Canada on 14 with Scotland, South Africa and United States of America all on 12 points and still with hopes of reaching the semi-finals.

The semi-finals in men’s fours and singles plus ladies pairs and triples will not be held until the middle of next week.

After the final group games in the fours tomorrow Shadwell will team up with Torquay United’s Jamie Chestney and switch his attentions on Thursday morning to the men’s pairs for six days, 11 games of group matches and the semi-finals.

MORE ON SHADWELL'S PROGRESS IN AUSTRALIA AT WILTSHIRETIMES.CO.UK/SPORT AND IN FRIDAY'S WILTSHIRE TIMES