WILTSHIRE men’s representative team lost in their annual seasonal opener against Swindon & District Bowls Association going down by 11 shots last Sunday.

The Moonrakers side under the leadership of 2014 president Dave Richards (Trowbridge Westbourne) were beaten 100-89 in the five rink friendly match played at Swindon Supermarine.

Wiltshire who led early were 22-20 up across the board at five ends but trailed by two shots at ten and were 69-63 down at 15.

They slipped further back and eventually lost 100-89.

In between the heavy showers and hailstorm Wiltshire took the honours on two of the five rinks with Richards easily winning his presidential battle against S& D counterpart Peter Stewart, a member of Bob Dickens rink, running out a 27-14 victor.

There was also a six shots win for John Southern’s rink while Alan Small’s four were 15-11 up at 15 ends but only scored one more shot in the last six ends and lost by four shots.

RESULTS

Rink 1: Barry Folland (Salisbury), George Tappenden (Ramsbury & Aldbourne), Brian Merritt & Bob Fredericks (both Sal) lost to Alan Clarke 14-24. Rink 3: Don French (Trowbridge T), Derrick Coleman (Amesbury), Andy Watson (Swindon) & Dave Richards (pres, Trow Westbourne) beat Bob Dickens 27-14. Rink 4: Del Smith, Dave Edmonds (both Wootton Bassett), Ron Salsbury (Westlecot) & Alan Small (WB) lost to Rob Millen 16-20. Rink 5: Michael Payne (Rodbourne Cheney), Ross Wheeler (S’don), Graeme Vincent (Highworth) & John Smith (Malmesbury) 12-28. Rink 6: Gerry Vincent (High), Ian Bristow (North Wilts), Mel Williams (High) & John Southern (Ames) beat Dave Williams 20-14.

Score: Wiltshire men lost to Swindon & District men 89-100.

THE U25 men’s side made an excellent start to the season winning their opening match against Somerset played at Paulton.

They took the honours on all four rinks in this friendly as they ran-out comprehensive 74-48 victors with Craig Hatherall’s rink recording the biggest winning margin of 11 shots in the 26 shots success.

RESULTS

Rink 3: Adam Bolwell (Holt), Luke Jowett (Cricklade), Matt Daniell (W Bassett) & Craig Hatherall (W’lecot) beat Dale Taylor 22-11. Rink 4: Jake Webster (W’lecot), Sean Etherington, James Richman (both High) & Gary Jackson (W’lecot) beat Sam Steel 20-13. Rink 5: John Hermon (Garrards), Sheldon Warren (W’lecot), David Murray (R Cheney) & Craig Morphet (High) beat Grant Aldridge 16-13. Rink 6: Tom Newman (Trow West), Ben Choules (High), Mike Titcombe & Paul Stokes (W’lecot) beat Reece White 16-11.

Score: Wiltshire beat Somerset 74-48.

COUNTY U25 men continue their build-up to the White Rose Trophy, National U25 Double Rinks competition, first match late next month against Worcestershire next week.

They will be competing in a special Bank Holiday Monday Four Counties Tournament at Keynsham (2pm).

Team manager Adam Tanner has a full squad available and appears to have chosen his strongest team for the tournament against Gloucestershire, Worcestershire and Somerset.

TEAM

Rink 1: A Bolwell, C Morphet, M Daniell & Mike Richards (W’lecot). Rink 2: C Hatherall, B Choules, Kyle Anderson (W Bassett) & Nick Revell (Amesbury). Rink 3: M Titcombe, L Jowett, J Richman & G Jackson.

WILTSHIRE LADIES will be hoping for better fortunes this year in the Johns Trophy, national inter-county championship after going out in the group stages last season.

They begin the build-up to the 2014 competition which begins on May 31 with their first Johns squad trial at Devizes, next Wednesday evening (6pm).

Clubs from these readership areas, Mid and West Wiltshire supply the bulk of the players invited to play in the first trial.

Box have the greatest representation with seven players chosen, Amesbury are next best with five while Spencer Melksham and Wootton Bassett both have four selected.

The second trial is schedule for Saturday, May 17 at Box.

MORE SPORTS NEWS & PICTURES IN THURSDAY'S GAZETTE & HERALD AND FRIDAY'S WILTSHIRE TIMES