Summer Cup holders Bob Carter lost their grip on the trophy as Wymondham inflicted a 6-2 defeat on their fierce rivals at Drayton in a semi-final thriller.

Neil Davidson made a surprise return to the Wymondham team for the first time this summer and his performance at lead in Chris Mann's triple provided a solid foundation in two excellent wins.

With their impressive form this season, particularly on their own mats, Carter began as firm favourites.

Jason Woods, David Lamb and Gary Best, with former Kent star Best in tremendous form, opened with a superb 21-7 win against Wymondham's captain Mark Linsdell playing with Debbie Sparham & Jack Pye.

What they had hoped would be the beginning of another huge home win failed to materialize though as on the other mat Neil Davidson, Jon Sparham & Chris Mann stormed to an 18-4 win against Nigel Willard, Simon Willies & Melvin Woods leaving the scores level on points and shots at the interval.

After the break John Turner replaced Nigel Willard in Melvin Woods' triple and they started well to take a 12-6 lead against Jack Pye's Wymondham triple.

But it all went wrong for the Carter triple in the closing stages as Jack Pye's triple won the last six ends to clinch a valuable 16-12 win.

In the other game Davidson, Sparham & Mann recovered from a sluggish start to beat Jason Woods, David Lamb & Gary Best 22-11.

Mann's triple dominated the game towards the end except for a dropped five on the fourteenth end that was by that time irrelevant. Wymondham will face the winners of the other semi-final between Kirby Bedon and Thorpe Marriott.

Meanwhile, the Norfolk short mat scene has been given a boost upon the decision to hold the British Isles International Top Team Championships at Hingham Sports & Social Club on December 2/3.

In a surprise move English champions West Mids, who were expected to host the event in the Birmingham area, approached the Norfolk CSMBA for permission to use Hingham Sports & Social Club where Norfolk play their I.C.C matches.

The venue has excellent viewing facilities and the Norfolk CSMBA will be providing their mats and equipment for the event.

Irish champions Oriel will start as firm favourites while 15-time Welsh champions Pembrokeshire and the star studded West Mids team will attempt to deny the Irish yet another title.

West Mids will be representing England for the first time since 2004 and will be hoping that the fast Norfolk mats at Hingham will give them an advantage.

Hingham Sports & Social Club was featured in the national media in June when Hingham Tennis Club was awarded the LTA Club of the Year award so this announcement crowns an amazing year for this Norfolk venue.

The event will begin at 10am on Saturday, December 2 with each team marching in to the sports arena in turn to their chosen music before the bowls action starts in earnest.

The Irish have an incredible record in this event but West Mids believe they have a great chance this year of winning for England and will be hoping for local support.