NEIL Smith finally realised his ambition to become an international bowler for England last weekend.

After several near misses where he has sat on the reserves bench, Smith made his England debut in the two-day Co-operative Funeralcare Mixed Test match against Wales at Stanley Indoor Bowls Club in County Durham.

The English and Welsh sides both consisted of three men and three women playing two single gender triples games, three mixed pairs and six mixed singles.

The matches were played over two sets of seven ends, each with a best of three ends tie-break if necessary.

It proved to be a highly successful debut for 49-year-old Smith, from Peatmoor, West Swindon, who plays his indoors bowls at Westlecot but outdoors for Wootton Bassett.

Smith played in three of the 11 games and won in two of them.

He teamed up at lead with Graham Smith (Spalding) and skip Perry Martin (Swale, Kent) to beat the Wales men comfortably two sets to nil in the men’s triple.

Smith then gave England the perfect start on day two. After being drawn out first in the singles, he beat Pauline Price 2-0 (5-3, 8-3).

However, Smith had earlier suffered a loss in his mixed pairs match when he teamed up with Zoe Eagles (Hartlepool) and went down 2-0.

Despite Smith’s fine start in the Sunday singles, England went on to lose the Test 6-5, with the last singles match between England’s Lauren Copeland and Wales Amy Williams settling issues in Wales’ favour.

Smith said: “I’m really happy with the way I played over the weekend, even though the green was tricky.

“I played very well with Graham Smith and Perry Martin in the triples and won my singles.

“I was really happy with my leading in the triples and my singles performance - all the men who played ladies were on a hiding to nothing, so it was added pressure not to lose.

“I was asked if I was happy leading, I said I will play anywhere to get into the series team. It was made clear that I have a good chance of getting in the series team leading, especially after my triples performance, so I’m very happy.”

“It was a good experience. Hopefully I have done enough to be selected for the International Series in March.”

n THIS weekend Smith will miss Westlecot’s opening Wessex League match as he will be competing on the Open Singles Circuit.

Smith, together with his daughters Lucy and Katy, are competing at Cliftonville in the Thanet Open and chasing the top prize of £1,000.