ROB Weale claimed an unusual and unwanted hat-trick when he lost in the semi-finals of all three competitions in the WBT World Indoor Bowls Championships at the Potters Leisure Resort, Norfolk.

After losing to the eventual champion Alex Marshall in a sudden-death play-off in the singles semi-final, the Herefordshire-based Wales international went out of the mixed pairs competition in similar fashion.

He and his partner Cheryl Northall had shared the opening two sets with Carol Ashby and Andy Thomson 5-7, 7-5, but went down 2-1 in the shoot-out.

The unwanted hat-trick was completed in the men's pairs semi-final when Weale and Wales colleague Jason Greenslade went down 9-3, 6-4 to England's Chris Young and David Holt.

However, Weale was philosophical about his performance and said: "I was delighted with the way I played but obviously disappointed about losing out in the latter stages of all three competitions."

His next World Bowls Tour ranking event will be the Wales Masters in Llanelli from February 7-13.

Following that he will have the honour of captaining the Wales Indoor team for the first time when he leads them in the Home International Series at Perth, Scotland from March 10-12.

Weale will skip a rink which includes Hereford bowler Gareth Wills who will be making his Wales senior debut.

Looking ahead to the outdoor season, Weale will represent his country in the World Championships in Ayr, Scotland, where he will play in both the pairs and the fours.