NEIL SMITH missed out on his bid to reach three of the top four national indoor championship area finals but only after a dramatic finish to his area singles semi-final.

The 41-year-old Westlecot bowler, pictured above, who recently made his debut in the Potters World Indoor Championships in Norfolk, had already completed the first part of his treble bid with victory in the Area 16 semi-finals of the triples.

He then added the fours as he skipped his rink to a 22-5 semi-final success over Christie Miller, Melksham, but missed out on his treble bid 24 hours later at home at Westlecot to clubmate and fours team colleague Graham Hatherall.

Smith was never behind in the enthralling singles match until the very last wood when Hatherall drew shot to claim a 21-20 victory after a two and a half hour match of the highest quality.

"It was a classic game and I have no complaints," said a very sporting Smith. "Graham played extremely well and it was just a shame that one of us had to lose.

"All the pressure was on him on the last end but he drew inside me twice and then again with his last wood to take shot, the only time he in fact led.

"Still, I am in two Area 16 finals as is Graham (Hatherall) and Barry (Sictorness) and hopefully I can win them and go forward to the last 32 in both in Nottingham in April."

Smith made an excellent start against Hatherall in the singles semi-final and led 8-1 after five ends and 11-5 after 10, but Hatherall then began to chip away. He had reduced the gap to 11-10 at 13 and was only 13-11 down at 15 ends.

Smith went 16-12 up on the 18th end but a maximum four on the next for Hatherall brought the scores level. From then on it was nip and tuck as each time Smith edged ahead Hatherall pegged him back before snatching victory with his last wood on the 25th end.

Hatherall now moves forward to defend his Area 16 Singles title at Cotswold later this month. Dates for all the area finals have still to be confirmed.

In the fours area semi-final the Westlecot team of Barry Sictorness, John Thomas, Hatherall and Smith saw off the spirited challenge of Andy Moore's rink from Christie Miller, Melksham.

They were always ahead and led 5-2 at five ends and 9-4 at 10.

The big turning point came on the next when Westlecot bowled the jack into the ditch and Moore opted for his lead to bowl a short jack in response, however, the ploy failed badly.

Moore's rink dropped a six as three firing woods missed to trail 15-4. This seemed to knock the stuffing out of Christie Miller and Smith's rink just edged further in front to go 22-5 up on the 17th end. Despite four ends remaining Moore at this point called a halt and it was handshakes all-round.

RESULTS (Area 16 semi-finals) Singles: Graham Hatherall (holder, Westlecot) beat Neil Smith (Westlecot) 21-20.

Fours: Barry Sictorness, John Thomas, Hatherall and Smith (Westlecot) beat Dave Godwin, Paul Macdonald, Nigel Price and Andy Moore (Christie Miller) 22-5 (17 ends).