WILTSHIRE Ladies were beaten by Berkshire in their opening county friendly of the 2013/14 indoor season, writes DAVE EATON.

Under the leadership of indoor president Evelyn Tape (North Wilts) they made a fine start at Rivermead (Reading) and lwere 55-51 up after 10 ends.

However, at 15 they had been hauled back and trailed 80-75 before badly and finally losing 125-94.

Despite a couple of close finishes Wiltshire only took the honours on one of the six rinks with Jean Collier (skip) leading her team of Eileen Hawker, Sylvia Lucas and Pat Sharp to a resounding 26-17 success over former England international Theresa Darnell-Langton’s foursome.

In the presidents match, Tape’s rink led 8-1 and 11-8 at five and ten ends respectively, but finally lost 20-18, while Brenda Bowen’s quartet were edged out 17-16.

Wiltshire have been drawn away to Oxfordshire in round one of the Atherley Trophy, inter-county championship on November 17.

As Christie Miller Moonrakers (Women) have joined the county ladies association this season the availability list will be strengthened, with the team chosen on November 5.

RESULT

Rink 1: Norma Rowden, Rose Weston (both North Wilts), Lynn Stanford (Five Rivers) & Brenda Bowen (NW) lost to Jas Edwards 16-17.

Rink 2: Eileen Hawker, Sylvia Lucas (both Christie Miller), Pat Sharp (FR) & Jean Collier (NW) beat Theresa Darnell-Langton 26-17.

Rink 3: Ann Roberts-Phare (NW), Mary Jones (CM), Irene Button & Evelyn Tape (both NW) lost to Mary Parkinson 18-20.

Rink 4: Dawn Edwards (CM), Pam West (NW), Janice Bull (FR) & Jan Tombs (NW) lost to Mary Price 12-19.

Rink 5: June Coyle, Val Lucas, Jane Taylor & Fizz Mace (all NW) lost to Daphne Jacob 15-23.

Rink 6: Joyce Little (CM), Audrey Mitchell (NW), Bev Lilley (CM) & Joan Coleman (FR) lost to Pat Oakden 7-29.

Score: Wiltshire Ladies lost to Berkshire 94-125.

THE county men, winners of the Liberty Trophy (inter-county championship) way back in the 1995/96 season have been drawn away against Gloucestershire in the first round of this season’s competition on November 23.

They have also entered the Over 60 inter-county championship and Over 60s League for the first time this season.

Their first league match on Wednesday, November 6, they will face Hampshire with three rinks at home and the other three away.

TEAM

Home (at North Wilts) Rink 1: Tony Watchman, Brian Mace, Peter West & Dave Williams (all North Wilts, Chippenham). Rink 2: Richard Hindley (Five Rivers, Salisbury), Roger Harris (NW), John Bannister (FR) & Alan Small (NW). Rink 3: Gavin Newman (Westlecot, Swindon), Dave Edmunds (NW), Roy Major & Alan Penfold (both West).

Away (at Pamerston, Fareham) Rink 1: Mick Walker, Derek Fry (both West), Jim Wilkie (NW) & Keith Baker (West). Rink 2: Les Cox, Martin Salter (both West), John Crowder (CM) & Roger Button (NW). Rink 3: Derek Smith (NW), Albert Saunders (FR) Peter Sanders & Maurice Byron (both NW).

TEAM competitions in the national indoor championships have been taking place during this month.

Christie Miller are out of the men’s O60s Double Rinks losing to Bristol 44-34 while neither of North Wilts two teams or Clarrie Dunbar are due to play until early next month.

This Sunday October 27 sees North Wilts and Clarrie Dunbar clash in the Egham Trophy, national mixed inter-county championship (10am) with two rinks taking place at each venue.

In the ladies O60s double rinks for the Mason Trophy, North Wilts have enjoyed mixed fortunes while Christie Miller have recorded a win and Clarrie Dunbar a loss.

North Wilts B side lost 45-35 to Thornbury B who now face North Wilts A in round one after defeating Clevedon 53-39.

Christie Miller defeated Bristol A 47-39 and now meet Thornbury A in round one who eliminated Clarrie Dunbar 44-29.

The ladies national inter-club championship for the Yetton Trophy begins on Saturday (10am).

Previous winners North Wilts face a tough first round tie against Thornbury.

Christie Miller and Clarrie Dunbar both have hard matches as well with the former playing Clevedon while Clarrie face Bristol.

Dunbar are the only side in the area to still be running in the Top Club, mixed inter-club championship.

After beating Westlecot 14-2 they entertain Clevedon on Saturday evening (6.30pm) who defeated North Wilts 10-6 in the previous round.

The match will consist of mixed pairs, mixed triples, mixed fours with both a men’s and ladies singles game.

The Champion of Champions individual area competitions are well advanced as the final stages are due to be played early next year.

In Area 30, Sue Cooke (N Wilts) secured a prize scalp when defeating England international Steph Branfield (Clevedon) 21-16. She now faces Nailsea’s Muriel Lewis in the area semi-final.

Clarrie Dunbar’s Kath Walker is through to the other Area 30 semi-final after recording a 21-15 victory over Christie Miller’s Eileen Hawker. She will now meet Val Osmond (Thornbury).

In the men’s Champion of Champions Area 30 matches Andy Moore (Christie Miller) beat Wayne Snook (North Wilts) 21-16 while Andrew Colebrooke (Clarrie Dunbar) accounted for Clevedon’s Mark Woods by the same score of 21-16.

Moore and Colebrooke are due to face each other in Area 30 semi-final one by November 3.

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