BOWLS: Holt into Four-Rink final (From This Is Wiltshire)

BOWLS: Holt into Four-Rink final

7:00pm Wednesday 8th September 2010 in

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HOLT are through to the Wilts Men’s Four Rink League play-off final for only the second time in 90 years, writes DAVE EATON.

The competition was started in 1920 and Holt’s only previous appearance in the final was 12 years ago back in 1998 when they lost 88-61 to Westlecot who ironically will again be their opponents this time around.

Holt booked their place in the last two in the county men’s premier team event with a brilliant and powerful performance against Spencer Moulton in the semi-final staged at Chippenham Town.

They demolished their arch rivals by no fewer than 57 shots taking the honours on all four rinks as they ran-out 106-49 victors.

Admittedly, Spencer Moulton were without their star man, England international Graham Shadwell, who was away on Commonwealth games duties, but one man doesn’t make a team.

Keith Bailey’s rink produced Holt’s biggest winning margin with a 21 shot success over Russell Francis’ quartet.

Westlecot won the other semi-final coming from behind to beat Swindon West End by seven shots in an 87-80 victory.

The final will be played this Sunday morning, September 12, at Wootton Bassett (10am).

Holt will need another stirring performance if they are to win the Four Rink League title for the first time in their club’s history.

Westlecot have reached their ninth successive four rink final and won the trophy every year since 2002 with one exception – they lost in the 2005 final to Swindon.

RESULTS

Holt (names first) v Spencer Moulton at Chippenham Town, Rink 1: Justin Davis beat Ian White 28-12; Rink 2: Keith Bailey beat Russell Francis 34-13; Rink 3: Don Gray beat Mick Perrett 23-11; Rink 4: Ben Gadd beat Luke Meehan 21-13.

Score: Holt beat Spencer Moulton 106-49.

Westlecot (names first) v Swindon West End at Swindon; Rink 2: Ian Jefferies beat Roger Wood 28-16; Rink 3: Mike Jackson lost to Ray Sowden 15-26; Rink 4: Mark Dyer beat Rodney Green 22-18; Rink 5: Mel Biggs beat Alan Brewer 22-20.

Score: Westlecot beat West End 87-80.

TWENTY-FOUR hours earlier at Wootton Bassett (10.30am) three of the five men’s national competition finals will be held.

Holt’s Wayne Simmonds, Wayne Snook and Ben Gadd bid to win the county national triples title when they face Graham Hatherall, Mike Jackson and Mark Dyer (Westlecot) in the final.

Also competing are Russell Francis who faces Westlecot’s Mel Biggs in the singles final while Michael Richards (W Bassett) plays Kyle Anderson (Westlecot) in the U25s singles final.

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