NORTH WILTS and Christie Miller men’s teams both lost their opening 2011-12 matches in the central section of the Wessex League on Sunday, writes DAVE EATON.

The former lost by 29 shots when beaten 90-61 by newcomers to the group St. Andrews (Weston-Super-Mare) while Christie Miller had to give second best to early central league pacesetters Bristol losing 76-60.

In both cases Chippenham-based North Wilts and Melksham’s Christie Miller took the honours on just one of their four rinks, collecting just two points each out of a possible 16.

North Wilts lone success came at Weston where Nick Grenfell’s rink stormed to a 23-7 victory. However, the other away quartet lost by 10 shots.

At Chippenham both North Wilts rinks skipped by Billy McCay and Wayne Snook suffered heavy losses, going down by 16 and 19 shots respectively.

Christie Miller fared little better, their lone success coming at home at Melksham where Andy Moore’s rink edged past their Bristol opponents by two shots.

The other home rink lost by eight shots while in Bristol at Ashton Vale the Dave Godwin and Nigel Price quartets lost by seven and three shots respectively.

Both clubs are back in Wessex League action again on Sunday, November 20 when North Wilts face Purnell (Paulton, Bristol) while Christie Miller meet Nailsea.

RESULTS

N Wilts v St Andrews

Home - Rink 1: Clive Swift, Roger Button, John Buckland and Billy McCay lost to A Owens 12-28. Rink 2: Richie McCombe, Bob George, Keith Hutchens and Wayne Snook lost to B Forse 12-31.

Away - Rink 1: Gordon Scott, Ashley Ponting, Steve Snook and Nick Grenfell beat D Bailey 23-7. Rink 2: Dave Edmonds, Alan Greenland, Dave Williams and Bob Hayes lost to A Steer 14-24.

Score: North Wilts lost to St. Andrews 61-90 and by 2pts-14.

C Miller v Bristol

Home - Rink 1: Andy Moore beat Steve Wiltshire 18-16. Rink 2: B Routledge lost to P Bainton 14-22.

Away - Rink 1: Dave Godwin lost to C Keating 13-20. Rink 2: Nigel Price lost to Jason Sparkes 15-18.

Score: Christie Miller lost to Bristol 60-76 and by 2pts-14.

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