IAN WILLIAMS' first taste of an individual event at the English Bowling Association national championships turned to despair with a one-shot defeat.

The 23-year-old Purton player was making his debut at Worthing having only been able this year to compete in the main events.

But it was not a debut to remember after reaching the finishing line but not able to cross it.

Williams, representing Wiltshire in the under 25 singles, was involved in a tight first round match early on with Jamie Gibbs (Middlesex) with the lead changing hands on numerous occasions.

However, at 14-13 down Williams picked-up a succession of singles to move 20-14 up but then dropped a three.

Twice Williams was then holding game shot but each time Gibbs turned the match in his favour picking up two two's to win 21-20.

"I am absolutely gutted to lose after being 20-14 up," said Williams.

"He played well but I should have still won the turning point was the three I gave away.

"He then gave away the mat but I was holding game shot until he moved the jack and on the next I had two shots until he drew to within a couple of inches of the jack twice."

After a days rest yesterday Williams is back in action today in the fours championship.

He skips the Purton rink of Dave Hall, Max Holland and Reg Wadsworth against Trent Vale (Notts) in the first round.

Also representing Wiltshire in the fours will be the Rodbourne Cheney quartet of Dave Royle, Rob Petrie, Roy Carter and Gary Morphet who face Middlesborough.

WILTSHIRE'S first ever entry into the Amy Rosebowl, the national women's under 31 double rink competition, was thwarted in the first round at Leamington Spa when they lost 34-48 to Sussex.

The girls battled throughout against their more experienced opponents.

Becky Scott's rink was under pressure for much of the match, but they never gave up, with Samantha Heenan showing very good form throughout.

In the end they lost 13-26, but that score did not totally reflect the game.

Debbie Shadwell's rink dropped a count of six on the first end, but stormed back to take the lead.

With Victoria Harding having a fine match at lead, they led for most of the match, only for a deserved rink victory to be snatched away from them on the last end as they went down 21-22.

For Wiltshire, their first experience of top-level competition at the Mecca of women's bowls was a great occasion. The team acquitted themselves very well and will be disappointed not to have progressed further, but they will have gained a great deal from the experience.

Team

Rink 1: Victoria Harding (Wroughton), Katherine Heenan (Salisbury Victoria), Sarah Cottle (Bradford-on-Avon) and Debbie Shadwell (Cooper-Avon) lost 21-22.

Rink 2: Charlotte Harding (Wroughton), Louise Tinnion (Devizes), Samantha Heenan (Salisbury Victoria) and Becky Scott (West End) lost 13-26.