Representatives from Royal Wootton Bassett and Box BC in Wiltshire travelled to Leamington Spa at the weekend to contest the National Quarter Finals of the Men’s and Women’s Top Club competition.
Unfortunately for Box, the quarter-final was the end of the road with them losing 3-1 to a strong Parkway BC team from Huntingdonshire. A spirited effort by the Ladies and something to work on for next year. BW wishes to congratulate the Box team for making it to the National Finals!
Royal Wootton Bassett, last year’s National Runners Up, took to A Green on the Saturday wanting to go one stage further than last year and were faced with a tough match of Gerrards Cross from Buckinghamshire. RWB started strongly and carried the momentum through the game, playing with the right attitude and spirit. In the end it came down to Neil Smith in the 4 wood singles to try and get RWB over the line – at 20-20 Neil drew the shot on his last bowl, leaving Alan Price to try and return the favour…with hearts in mouths the RWB could only watch on as Alan’s bowl came down the rink – luckily it just missed Neil’s shot bowl and the game was Bassett’s – you could see what it meant to the team as they flooded the green in celebration.
On the Sunday, however, the fairy tale came to an abrupt holt as RWB faced a very strong Reading side from Berkshire – boasting several ex-international players. Reading proved too strong in the end running out 4-1 winners and progressing to the National Final where they lost to eventual winners (back-to-back winners in fact) Kings BC from Devon.
BW wishes to congratulate RWB on another fantastic run in the competition!