CHRISTIE Miller and Clarrie Dunbar both recorded victories last Saturday in the opening round of the Denny Cup, men’s national inter-club championship, writes DAVE EATON.

The Melksham side edged out local rivals North Wilts 76-70 in a tight game while Clarrie thumped Nailsea by 30 shots running out 93-63 victors.

There was little to choose between Miller and North Wilts in the opening stages of their local derby, Christie a shot ahead across the board at five and ten ends 19-18 and 35-34 respectively.

But Miller edged clear to lead 54-52 at 15 ends, 67-59 at 18, and finally win the match 76-70.

The Melksham side took the honours on two rinks, Brian Routledge’s four winning by five shots while Paul Macdonald’s quartet came from 9-0 down at three ends to win 24-23 despite dropping a five on the 21st and last end.

The other two rinks were drawn.

In the second round on November 16 Miller will face Malvern Hills.

Clarrie had a much easier success as they beat Nailsea by 30 shots.

The foundations were built on two fine away performances in Nailsea where the rinks skipped by Keith Bailey and Neil Collett won by 13 and 12 shots respectively.

At home, Terry Perkins four enjoyed a comfortable 15-shot win but Andy Colebrooke’s quartet went down by 10.

Dunbar have been drawn against Victoria (Street) in the next round next weekend.

A day later, contrasting results were recorded by Miller and Dunbar in their opening 2013/14 central region group fixtures in the Wessex League.

Miller went down by 27 shots to last season’s central region winners Bristol while Clarrie, winners of last season’s Wessex League play-offs, thumped Purnell by a massive 57 shots.

It always looked to be a tough opener for Christie Miller against Bristol, central regional winners last season but easily beaten in the Wessex League play-offs finals by Clarrie Dunbar and that was proved to be exactly correct.

At home in Melksham Christie Miller fought hard but still lost on both rinks with the respective skips Andy Moore conceding ten shots on the last three ends and going down by three shots, with Dave Laws losing by only six after being 15-4 down at ten ends. Meanwhile away Paul Macdonald’s rink lost by four shots but Nigel Price’s quartet suffered a 14 shot reverse.

Christie Miller did not collect any of the 16 points on offer while in sharp contrast Clarrie took all 16.

Clarrie dominated their match against Purnell (Paulton) with the away rinks skipped by Neil Collett and Terry Perkins winning by 22 and 10 shots respectively. And at home Russell Francis registered a 16 shots success and Andy Colebrooke a nine shots win.

RESULTS

Christie Miller v North Wilts

Home - Rink 3: David Hayward, Sid Jay, Bob Pratt & Brian Routledge beat Alan Stell, Alan Greenland, Dave Williams & Steve Snook 17-12. Rink 4: Malcolm Hole, Steve Gedge, Dale Hayward & Andy Moore drew with Derek Clark, Peter Jacobs, Maurice Byron & Roger Button 17-17.

Away - Rink 2: Chris Easton, Jim Roy, Dave Laws & Nigel Price drew with Richard Jennings, Dave Edmonds, Trevor Cooke & Keith Hutchens 18-18. Rink 5: Paul Barnes, Adrian Bolwell, Mike Savin & Paul Macdonald beat Bob George, Colin Hicks, John Lucas & Chris Brown 24-23.

Score: Christie Miller beat North Wilts 76-70.

Clarrie Dunbar v Nailsea Home - Rink 1: John Freeman, Ian Perkins, Andrew Taylor & Terry Perkins beat J Gough 29-14. Rink 2: Dick Discombe, Alan Colebrooke, Dale Taylor & Andrew Colebrooke lost to Debroy Gregory 13-23.

Away - Rink 1: Brian Hawkins, Mike Sawyers, Craig Doughty & Neil Collett beat B Holloway 27-15. Rink 2: Keith Haines, Fred Pope, Glyn Jones & Keith Bailey beat D Crawshaw 24-11.

Score: Clarrie Dunbar beat Nailsea 93-63.

Christie Miller v Bristol Home - Rink 3: Malcolm Hole, Steve Gedge, Dale Hayward & Andy Moore lost to Barry Barry 23-26; Rink 4: Paul Barnes, David Hayward, Bob Pratt & Dave Laws lost to Paul Bryant 17-23.

Away - Rink 5: Adrian Bolwell, John Crowder, Mike Savin & Paul Macdonald lost to Terry Barnes 14-18; Rink 1: Chris Easton, Jim Roy, Gerald Archard & Nigel Price lost to Gerry Coffield 14-28.

Score: Christie Miller 68 (0pts) Bristol 95 (16).

Clarrie Dunbar v Nailsea

Home - Rink 1: John Freeman, Glyn Jones, Alan Colebrooke & Russell Francis beat H Lorimer 27-11. Rink 2: Ian Perkins, Brian Hawkins, Keith Bailey & Andy Colebrooke beat R Gay 23-14.

Away - Rink 1: Dick Discombe, Trevor Batchelor, Craig Doughty & Neil Collett beat M Pratt 33-11. Rink 2: Andy Taylor, Mike Sawyers, Dale Taylor & Terry Perkins beat J Matthews 22-12.

Score: Clarrie Dunbar 105 (16pts) Purnell 48 (0).

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