Smith made a flying start against Havering’s Chris Curtis, racing into a 7-0 lead with a long-jack strategy.

But an over-delivered jack gave Curtis the opportunity to take control of the mat and he responded by playing short, fighting back to level the contest.

Smith regained the mat and returned to the longer jack as a tight battle developed, with the scores level after 10 ends.

He then took control with two big scores to move 15-10 ahead before extending his advantage to a commanding 20-10.

Curtis produced a brilliant firing shot in a last-ditch attempt to stay in the contest, knocking the jack out of play.

But the respotted jack handed Smith the shot he needed to secure victory and a place in the next round of the national competition.

Fellow Ilford player Gary Burns also progressed in the National Over-60 Singles with a 21-15 victory over Barking’s Tommy Brooks.

Burns enjoyed further success against the same opponent in the National Novice Singles, winning 21-14.

There was another close contest in the Thursday Open League as the sides of Colin Bond and Alan Moss met in a top-of-the-table clash.

Moss’s line-up of Bleach, Sinclair, Seago and Crowther made the stronger start to lead 6-3 after three ends.

But Bond’s team of Jan and Ray Mansell, Bateman and Treleavan turned the match around in remarkable fashion, winning seven consecutive ends by a single shot to establish a 12-7 advantage.

Moss’s side responded with scores of two and one to close the gap to 12-10 before taking the final end by a single shot.

However, it was not quite enough to force a draw as Bond’s team held on for a 12-11 victory.

Ilford’s 2026/27 Denny Cup campaign, meanwhile, ended with defeat away to Havering.

The club will shortly announce its County League and Over-60s League squads, with Ilford aiming for promotion to Division One in the County League.

Ilford A will contest Division One of the Over-60s League, while Ilford B will be looking to earn promotion from Division Three.