A TRIO from Colchester West End Bowls Club narrowly missed out on making the National Indoor Final.

Sam Roberts, Jake Roberts and Dan Rodger were all selected for the Essex Indoor under-25 double rink team that reached the semi-final for the first time.

Essex were unfortunate to lose to a very strong Devon side on the last end of the National double rink semi-final.

They went into it leading 41-40 but dropped a two, to lose 42-41.

Some of the bowls was outstanding and the display has raised hopes of future Essex success, after they competed against arguably one of the strongest counties.

Devon are reigning champions from the previous two seasons and will now bid to make it a hat-trick of titles against Yorkshire, in the final.

Colchester West End B were edged by a strengthened Tiptree Jobserve squad in the TMJ trophy semi-finals.

With one win apiece and a draw on rinks, it all came down to shots as to who would proceed to the final.

Jim McKillop’s fours rink ended with a flourish with three, three and a two (measure for three), to get a draw.

With both the triples and the fours already having finished, West End were four behind needing a five on the final end to progress to the final.

The Kerridge pairs rink were holding five but the Tiptree skip fired and broke the head up and had to settle for one shot, resulting in a overall loss on shots.

It was a fantastic effort for West End, with seven members of the B team squad unavailable due to other games.

A further 11 West End members were cup-tied, with the A team and other members unable to play due to holidays and other commitments.

Rink results: Graham Kerridge, Rose Kerridge (23) v D Harrington (15), Doug MacDonald, Nigel Roberts, Elliot Mann (13) v (24) G Heard, Vanessa Zammit, Mario Zammit, Steve Carniham, Jim McKillop (18) v (18) D Cookson.