TORBAY'S top men turned on the style but it was Denny Cup rivals Clevedon who won through to the last 16 of the EIBA National Inter-club competition.

Despite winning on three of the four rinks and sporting smart new designer shirts, Torbay were beaten 90-78 as the Somerset club side booked a quarter-final date with Lincoln later this month.

However, Devon will have representation in the final stages with Exonia meeting great rivals Cumbria after they defeated Desborough 82-49 on the neutral green at Bournemouth.

"We were always ahead after five ends and the forthcoming match with Cumbria promises to be quite tasty," said Kevin Phillips, who was beaten 19-14 and was the only Exonia skip to lose out.

Nathan Farrant (25-12), Ian Bond (15-13) and Rob Paxton all won with Paxton's rink of Chris Bond, Bill Davies and Glenn Allen having a tremendous win over John McGuiness 28-5.

There was understandable disappointment at Oldway, home of Torbay, after news filtered through that the away rink of Bob Condon, John Read, Jim Harding and Alan Bowden had lost to former England outdoor selector Pip Branfield 36-11.

It was a crushing defeat at the hands of the reigning fours champion and the Torbay quartet were well beaten.

"I'm afraid Alan's rink was unable to keep in touch and slipped behind all the time," said Torbay's Graham Warren.

Alongside, Lloyd Roberts, John Cherrington, Andy Wickham and Duncan Summers won 18-17.

Summers was four shots adrift at 15 ends but after scoring 9-2 in shots, emerged victorious by just a single shot.

Back at Torbay, there was an excellent win for Derek Singleton with fellow skip Roy Johnson holding on to win by one shot.

Graham Warren played three to skip Roy Johnson with Ron Basnett and Trevor Durbidge, this year's county president, at the front end.

"We never really got in control in a tight game but Roy scored two on the final end to win," said Warren.

James Branfield, winner of the national outdoor fours' title with his father, Pip, was unable to enjoy the same success as his father as Bryan Lee, Arthur Conway, Phil Hackett and Derek Singleton won 28-17.

Warren added: "Derrick's rink all played well, with Derrick playing some very good bowls to convert or save shots."

Warren and his teammates must now focus on other events if they are to win some silverware this season.

"I'm afraid it was not the result we were hoping for in the Denny," he said. "We must now look forward to the remaining games in the Top Ten and Top Club competitions as well as the DCIBA Inter-club League."