WILTSHIRE Ladies recorded an excellent double on the road last weekend in inter-county championship competitions.
On Saturday, they stayed on course in their bid to win the west group section A title this season and reached the quarter-finals in the Johns Trophy as they hammered Warwickshire 141-102 at Stratford-on-Avon.
Then, 24 hours later, they defeated Herefordshire 45-40 at Cotswold (Stroud, Glos) in the opening round of the Walker Cup double rinks to book a place in the regional semi-finals to be held at Box on July 14 alongside Worcestershire, Somerset and Warwickshire.
Against Warwickshire in the Johns Trophy, Wiltshire were only two shots up after five ends (31-29) but then began to take control leading 72-49 after 10 and 105-70 at 15 ends.
They moved 123-85 clear at 18 and finally won the match 141-102.
Moonraker ladies took the honours on four of the six rinks and drew on another to collect a further 19 points to go with the 17 earned against Gloucester in match one at the start of June to move to 36 points.
This is 13 points clear of nearest rivals Gloucestershire and in a great position with just a win needed in final match left against bottom county Dorset (six points) to decide the final outcome of west group A.
Wiltshire play Dorset in the group decider on July 6 at Gillingham.
Top rink honours against Warwickshire went to Alison Fail’s quartet with a 29-13 (16 shots) win, while the foursome of Georgina Newman (Avon), Wendy Anderson (Stratton Churchway), and Box duo Sue Cooke and skip Alex Jacobs won 26-14.
Avon’s Marcia Hartley led her rink to a 27-16 success and Kathryn Yeoman’s rink who were 19-10 up at 15 ends drew 20-20.
The following day, Wiltshire ladies were victorious in their opening round Walker Cup double rinks game against Herefordshire - winning 45-40 despite only sharing the rink honours 1-1.
Both Alex Jacobs’ and Alison Fail’s rinks were down early on and trailed 12-7 after five ends and only led 22-21 after 10.
But then the foursome of Georgina Newman (Avon) and Box trio Kathryn Yeoman, Sue Cooke and Jacobs turned their match around to lead 17-13 after 15 ends.
That turned into a 34-27, after 15 ends, before Jacobs’ rink collected a further 10 shots in the final six ends to win their game 27-17.
However, Jacobs powerful finish ensured that Wiltshire won 45-40 and booked their place in the semi-finals.
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