Harry Goodwin was in the Devon under-25s double-rink team that won a thrilling inter-county semi-final with Essex on a neutral green at Eastleigh, Hants.

Reigning England champions Devon, who are looking to win the title for the fifth time in seven years, won by a single shot.

The Devon team consisted of Kieran Daniels (Exonia), Stephen Apsey (Axminster), Harry Goodwin (Torquay Utd), James Hampton (Exonia), Kieran Kniveton (Torquay Utd), Scott Eveleigh (Exonia), Will Stevens (Torquay Utd) and Zach Kidd (Torquay Utd).

Meanwhile, it was just a match too far for South Hams veteran Bill McKimm and his son Ryan Whitlock, who bowed out in the final round of qualifying in the national Family Pairs.

Bidding to reach the last 16 in England at the national finals in Nottingham, the father and son duo were beaten by Cornwall’s Ian and David Drew of Carnmoggas 17-8 on a neutral indoor green in Plymouth.

A junior international, Whitlock skipped with his dad at lead and they were 4-1 ahead, but went a shot down (5-6) and only scored on two more ends, conceding defeat after 17 ends had been played.

But it has been a super run to the area final for the South Hams-Torquay Utd pair, who have claimed outstanding results along the way, including wins over Torquay Utd’s Ian Boyle and his wife Maggie Boyle 20-10; Ian and Gareth Foster 18-17 at Torbay; ex-international John Evans and his son David 20-2; and Exonia’s Chris Bond and his brother Ian, a two-time world indoor men’s pairs champion.

Nevertheless, it has been another fine season for Whitlock, who clinched a place in the last 16 of the triples with Zach Kidd and England international Louis Ridout after beating Ian Bond 19-7.

International commitments at the Commonwealth Games in Australia rule out Ridout’s appearance at the national finals and Craig Down will lead for Kidd and Whitlock in their match with Sleaford’s Paul Roberts.