THE County Two Wood semi-finals saw a thrilling battle with David Heath (Caer Glow) pipping Lee Williamson (Cheltenham) on the final end at Cheltenham Bowls Club.

Heath, having begun with an 18-9 win over Paul Bryant (Olveston), held the upper hand in the next round in beating Paul Keicher (Tewkesbury) 16-9.

He was pushed all the way in the next round by John Veasey (Olveston) as the match went the 21 ends and finished up 13-12.

In the semi-final against Williamson the scores were level at 3-3 after six ends.

Williamson then went into a 7-5 lead after 11 ends before Heath struck back, winning three consecutive ends to lead 9-7.

Again Williamson took the lead and with three ends left led 12-10.

Heath responded and going into the last end the pair were level before Heath held shot and Williamson failed to remove it, giving a 13-12 win in favour of Heath.

In the other semi-final Martin Shepherd (Northwick) overcame Jack Dempsey (EDF Energy) 17-6.

Shepherd began with a 16-9 win over Ian Gauld (Olveston) and then in a nail-biting finish put out Ben Coldrick (Dowty) 14-13.

Holding the upper hand in the next round Shepherd put out Guy Harper (Cheltenham) 15-5 to reach the semis.

A dream start against Dempsey saw Shepherd take a 7-1 lead after five ends and never look back.

Five winning ends saw the gap widen to 14-4 before a single gave him a place in the final with a 17-6 win.

Both winners will now take their place in the county final to be held on Sunday, July 27at Olveston and in August at the National Championships at Leamington.