WESTLECOT continue to march on in the EBA Top Club competition. They won the regional final at Cheltenham on Sunday to book a place at Worthing on August 17 in the semi-finals of this new competition to celebrate the English Bowling Association's centenary.

In the morning semi-finals Westlecot faced Shaldon (Devon) and easily took the honours winning the first three of the five disciplines to progress to the final.

Kevin Embling won the two wood singles, the triples team coasted to a 28-8 success, while Neil Hope collected the prize scalp of former EBA singles champion Danny Dennison 21-13.

Results Two Wood Singles: Kevin Embling beat Lee Millar 17-14. Singles: Neil Hope beat Danny Dennison 21-13. Triples: Graham Hatherall, Mike Jackson and Ian Jefferies won 28-8.

Pairs & Fours stopped with the scores standing at 12-11 and 10-10.

IN the regional final in the afternoon Westlecot turned on the style to beat Clevedon 4-1, who had earlier accounted for Southampton Sports Centre.

Embling kept up his fine record for Westlecot in this competition with another win, while England Junior international Neil Hope came from eight shots down to beat the legendary David Bryant.

The pairs team of John Thomas and current England international Steve Warren recorded a comfortable 15 shot success. However, the triples team which showed a change from the morning game Jeff Nichols replacing Ian Jefferies had to battle hard for a five shot winning margin.

A whitewash was prevented when Clevedon took the honours in the fours with Mark Dyer's rink going down by eight shots.

This win for Westlecot means Wiltshire will now be represented at Worthing in the last four of the Middleton Cup, Under 25 Double Rinks and Top Club competitions.

As well as having, like all other counties in England, two players in the national singles, pairs, triples and fours, plus one in the Under 25 singles.

Results (v Clevedon): Two Wood Singles: Kevin Embling beat John Higg 18-15. Singles: Neil Hope beat David Bryant 21-17. Pairs: John Thomas and Steve Warren won 25-10. Triples: Jeff Nicholls, Graham Hatherall and Mike Jackson won 24-19; fours: Mike Hall, Mike Shawyer, Mel Biggs and Mark Dyer lost 14-22.