WESTLECOT lost in the Wessex League play-off quarter-finals last weekend and with it went their hopes of home advantage in the final in mid-April.
They were beaten by four shots in their quarter-final tie, going down 71-75 to wild card entrant Bromsgrove (Worcs) from the midlands region, who had knocked out holders Clarrie Dunbar 82-73 in the previous round.
The game was close throughout with rink honours tied 2-2, both sides winning one match at home and away.
Across the board Westlecot trailed Bromsgrove 19-16 after five ends and 33-30 at 10 however, the three shots overall margin had swung Westlecot’s way at 15 ends as they led 52-49.
Back came Bromsgrove to snatch the lead back 64-63 after 18 ends and hold on to win 75-71 after 21 hard fought ends.
The home rink skipped by Kyle Anderson went from 11-6 down at 11 ends to lead 19-11 at 18 and finally won their match 20-17.
However, Mike Titcombe’s home rink at Westlecot struggled in the second half of their game, going from 10-8 up at 12 ends to lose 20-14.
In Bromsgrove, John Thomas’ foursome were always adrift trailing 8-2 at five ends and 12-6 at 10 but had cut the gap to 12-13 at 14 ends only to then drop a three and a six to trail 22-12 after 16 ends and eventually lose 23-19.
Neil Smith’s quartet in Bromsgrove raced into a 10-4 lead at 10 ends, were pegged back to 16-14 at 18 ends but finally won 18-15 .
Bromsgrove, who denied Westlecot the opportunity of playing for a fifth overall Wessex title, will now face northern group winners Cotswold (Stroud) in the semi-finals at Church Gresley, Swadlincote, Derbys on Sunday, April 8.
In the other semi on same date Plymouth meet newcomers this term Atherley (Southampton) at Dolphin, Poole, Dorset.
RESULTS
Home - Rink 3: Kevin Embling, Ian Farragher, Dave Snell & Mike Titcombe lost to Neil Brereton 14-20. Rink 4: John Anderson, Tom Pittuck, Phil Gregory & Kyle Anderson beat John Cracknell 20-17.
Away - Rink 1: Dave Matthews, Geoff Smith, Paul Kistle & John Thomas lost to Adrian Burbridge 19-23. Rink 2: Mel Biggs, Terry Walton, Chris Cheesley & Neil Smith beat Richard Moule 18-15.
Score: Westlecot lost to Bromsgrove 71-75.
QUARTER-FINAL SCORES
Carterton 39 Plymouth 88; Malvern Hills 82 Atherley 89; Westlecot 71 Bromsgrove 75; Dolphin 55 Cotswold 82.
SEMI-FINAL DRAW
Plymouth v Atherley (at Dolphin, Poole); Bromsgrove v Cotswold (at Church Gresley); Games to be played on Sunday, April 8.
FINAL
At Westlecot on Sunday, April 15 (11am).
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