CHRISTIE Miller ladies are the only representatives from the Melksham club still running in a national team competition, writes DAVE EATON.

They followed up an excellent 43-26 victory over Nailsea B in the Mason Trophy, ladies Over 60 double rinks, with a closer win against the other Nailsea entrant.

Miller only won on one of the two rinks contested but edged home against Nailsea A 41-39.

The home quartet at Melksham skipped by Sheila Garlick were pipped at the post going down on the last end 21-22.

However, the away rink at Nailsea led by Bev Lilley came out on top in another tight encounter by three shots winning 20-17 to give Christie Miller ladies an overall second round victory 41-39.

In the next round after the festive break Christie Miller are due to face neighbours North Wilts A in a third round derby clash on January 19.

RESULT

Christie Miller v Nailsea A (Mason Trophy), Home: Sheila Noyce, Yvonne Fitch, Lesley Russell & Sheila Garlick lost 21-22. Away: Marie Greenwood, Wendy Gaisford, Marguerite Alexander & Bev Lilley won 20-17.

Score: Christie Miller beat Nailsea A 41-39.

CLARRIE Dunbar recorded a double over the weekend in two national team competitions, Denny Cup and Egham Trophy.

On Saturday they notched a big Denny Cup win over Gloucestershire side Cotswold with the Stroud team conceding the tie when 80-57 adrift and only one of the four games going past the 18 ends mark.

The Standerwick-based club followed up this men’s Denny success on Sunday with a handsome 88-61 victory over Ilminster in the Egham Trophy in which they reached the semi-finals two seasons ago.

Cotswold are a strong side but Clarrie dismissed them with comparative ease, winning on three rinks and drawing on another.

The foundations for victory were laid at home where Andy Colebrooke’s quartet won by 14 shots and Russell Francis rink by seven shots. While away skip Keith Bailey won by two shots and Neil Collett drew.

Across the board Dunbar led 22-15 after five ends, 46-25 at 10, 72-39 at 15 and 80-57 when a halt was called with Cotswold conceding.

Clarrie Dunbar progress to round five (last 16) and will face Whiteknights (Reading) on Saturday, January 6.

The Egham Trophy, a mixed team championship event, has been very productive in recent seasons for Clarrie Dunbar and they are enjoying another good run again this season.

Last Sunday they brushed aside fellow Somerset side Ilminster winning on three rinks and losing on one.

Top rink honours went to home skips Graham Shadwell and Andrew Colebrooke with 16 and 14-shot victories respectively.

Away in Ilminster, Neil Collett weighed in with plus 11 shots but Keith Bailey’s four missed out, going down to a 15-29 loss.

Overall Dunbar, after a slow start, and drawing 16-16 after five ends surged ahead to lead 44-28 at 10, 69-25 at 15, 80-54 at 18 and finally won by 27 shots.

They progress to the quarter-finals (last eight) of the Egham Trophy. They will meet Bournemouth on January 14, who pulled off a surprise knocking out the holders, Devon side Torquay United 80-69.

RESULTS

Clarrie v Cotswold (Denny Cup) Home - Rink 3: Pete Hooley, Steve Mayhew, Wayne Snook & Russell Francis beat John Tombs 16-9 (18 ends). Rink 2: Andy Taylor, Alan Brown, Dale Taylor & Andy Colebrooke beat Bill Alner 23-9 (18 ends).

Away - Rink 1: Chris Pewsey, Brian Hawkins, John Freeman, Keith Bailey beat Neil Chandler 22-20 (20 ends). Rink 2: Greg Wride, John Jones, Craig Doughty & Neil Collett drew with D Howes 19-19 (18 ends).

Score: Clarrie Dunbar beat Cotswold 80-57.

Clarrie Dunbar v Ilminster (Egham Trophy), Home - Rink 2: Jeanette Wheeler, Debbie Shadwell, Russell Francis & Graham Shadwell beat Steve Turner 24-8. Rink 3: Thelma Bailey, Nicola Ratcliffe, Dale Taylor, Andy Colebrooke beat Ian Lightfoot 24-10.

Away - Rink 1: Teresa King, Ruth Haines, Craig Doughty & Keith Bailey lost to Matt Hamilton 15-29. Rink 2: Marcia Hertley, Jo Dunford, Duncan McGovern & Neil Collett beat Will Anderson 25-14.

Score: Clarrie Dunbar beat Ilminster 88-61.

NEIGHBOURS Christie Miller and Clarrie Dunbar clash this Sunday in the next set of matches to be staged in the central region of the men’s Wessex League.

To date, Wessex title holders Clarrie Dunbar are unbeaten after winning their opening games against basement area club Nailsea and St Andrews (Weston-Super-Mare).

Dunbar currently lie in second place on 32 points, 11 pts adrift of leaders St Andrews who have played one game more.

On the other hand Christie have a 50 per cent record, losing their first game to Clevedon 67-96 but bounced back in the second thrashing North Wilts in their derby clash 105-58. This win improved Miller’s position considerably moving them up to sixth spot in the central table.

However, they face a tough nut to crack in Clarrie if they are to plunder and take any of the 16 points on offer in Christie’s latest derby match.

This is the last match in the central region before the festive break. The Wessex reconvenes next year on January 14 when Christie Miller play Bristol and Clarrie Dunbar meet bottom club Thornbury.

GRAHAM Shadwell, twice a winner of the Champion of Champions singles title in 2005 and 2013 when representing Clarrie Dunbar has qualified for another stab at the national crown again.

He reached the final stages and last 16 of the 2017/18 C of C at Warner Leisure Hotels, Lakeside Hayling Island, Hampshire, on the weekend of February 2-4 when winning the inter-area final.

The Area 16 champion representing Clarrie Shadwell beat Ryan Atkins (Malvern Hills) and then booked his place at Hayling Island with a 21-17 victory over Area 17 winner Rob Paxton, the world ranked number six in the forthcoming world championships , in the inter-area final held at Street.

“Graham dropped a couple of singles on the first two ends, but then scored a full house four on the third end and never looked back,” said Clarrie Dunbar owner and manager Brian Hawkins.

“He was always ahead from that point and played a good drawing game with Rob firing to try and get back in the game.

“Graham led 14-7 at halfway and continued to dictate the play and was a very worthy winner.''