CLARRIE Dunbar Indoor Club went close to lifting their first-ever national team trophy, but were pipped in the final of the mixed Top Club competition by Kent side Swale (Sittingbourne) at York IBC last Saturday, writes DAVE EATON.

Clarrie pushed two-time winners and current holders Swale, fielding five internationals, despite a men's singles win for Keith Bailey over Josh Pounds (13-8) and the trio of Thelma Bailey, Craig Hadfield-Doughty and Andy Colebrooke, 20-16.

However, they went down narrowly in the ladies singles with Jo Dunford losing 12-11 and the mixed fours, skipped by Graham Shadwell, by three shots on the last end.

The crucial mixed pairs between Clarrie's Marcia Hartley and Neil Collett and Sandy Hazell and Perrry Martin saw the Dunbar pair lose out 21-12.

In the morning semi-finals Clarrie had beaten Spalding (Lincs) 10-6, winning on three disciplines - men’s singles, mixed pairs and mixed fours.

Clarrie Dunbar owner Brian Hawkins said: “I felt gutted to lose the final straight afterwards but once we had time to sit back, relax and reflect on the day and think about the clubs achievements in the past two years it was all good.

“Little Clarrie Dunbar had lost to one of the big boys in the indoor scene - like the Manchester United’s of the bowls world.

“Two years ago Clarrie had never reached a team quarter-final in their 30-year history then last season made the mixed Egham Trophy semi-final.

“Then this year we beat another of the big teams like Spalding in the Top Club semi-finals only to miss out to Swale again in the final. Perhaps our turn will come next year.

“I am proud of all the team. It was a tremendous effort by everyone including the reserves, to get to a national team final and they should all be very proud of their efforts.”

RESULTS

Semi-final v Spalding

Singles: Ladies - Jo Dunford lost to Chelsea Tomlin 9-14(0pts). Men: Keith Bailey beat Matt Whyers 13-8 (2pts). Mixed Pairs: Marcia Hartley & Neil Collett beat Ruby Hill & Martin Spencer 19-18 (4pts). Mixed Triples: Thelma Bailey, Craig Hadfield-Doughty & Andrew Colebrooke lost to Scott and Annalisa Dunham & Mathew Orrey 11-28 (0pts). Mixed Fours: Nicola Radcliffe, Kim Smith, Russell Francis & Graham Shadwell beat Rebecca Simpson, Louise Catchpole, Ashley Caress & Graham Smith 12-11 (4pts).

Score: Clarrie Dunbar beat Spalding 10pts-6 but lost on shots 64-77.

FINAL v Swale Singles: Ladies - Jo Dunford lost to Paige Dennis 11-12. (0pts). Men: Keith Bailey beat Josh Pounds 13-8 (2pts). Mixed Pairs: Marcia Hartley & Neil Collett lost to Sandy Hazell & Perry Martin 12-21 (0pts). Mixed Triples: Thelma Bailey, Craig Hadfield-Doughty & Andrew Colebrooke beat Emily Ferguson, Lewis King & Paul Barnicott 20-16 (4pts). Mixed Fours: Nicola Radcliffe, Kim Smith, Russell Francis & Graham Shadwell lost to Imogen Jenner, Liz Gilham, Andrew Rodger & Mark Johnson 15-18 (0pts).

Score: Clarrie Dunbar lost to Swale 6pts-10pts and 71-75.

HOLT’s unbeaten run at the start of the 2017 season came to an abrupt halt at the hands of Bradford on Avon-based Spencer Moulton.

After adding wins (60-49) against Devizes in the Wilts Three Rink League and a 14-0 victory over Pewsey in the Four Rink League, they tasted defeat against Moulton in the Mid Wilts Triples League.

Against Devizes, the rinks of Wayne Snook, Graham Archard and Ben Gadd wrapped up victories, while Pete Hardie, Justin Davis, Gadd and Kevin Oliver all won against Pewsey.

However, Moulton proved too tough a nut to crack, despite wins for Dave Stevens and Stuart Oliver.

Results v Devizes: P Bush, D Stevens, M Barker & W Snook lost to G Webb 20-21; J Moore, S Moore, K Oliver & B Gadd beat P Fielding 21-14; G Potton, M Tucker, C Moore & G Archard beat T Jones 19 -14.

Score: Holt 60 (8pts) beat Devizes 49 (2pts).

Results v Pewsey: J Moore, G Archard, M Barker & K Oliver beat G Bathlor 21-17; D Anteney, M Tucker, R Jeffreys & J Davis beat P Bono 37-11; R Summers, C Poole, T Keating & P Hardie beat R Pearce 35-15; W Simmonds, C Moore, W Snook & B Gadd beat J Acheson 28-11.

Score: Holt 121 (14pts) beat Pewsey 54 (0pts)

Results v Spencer Moulton: P Bush, M Barker & D Stevens beat N Watson 14-11; D Anderson, A McCann & D Anteney lost to G Jones 8-15; H Davis, G Archard & A Bolwell lost to B Frankam 12-26; A Mizen, M Tucker & S Oliver beat I White 21-11.

Score: Holt lost to Spencer Moulton 55-63.