National title for veteran Westlecot trio (From The Wiltshire Gazette and Herald)

National title for veteran Westlecot trio

VETERAN Westlecot trio Jean Bird, Joyce Laming and Wendy Anderson are champions of England after toppling the competition favourites.

But they didn't even realise they were playing the favourites until they ahd beaten them in the Margaret Ashford Over 50s Two-Wood Triples at the National Ladies Indoor Championships in Nottingham.

They beat Colchester 15-11 to lift the trophy and lay to rest their disappointment of three years ago.

Laming said: "I didn't realise until afterwards that two of their players were internationals and that in The Times they listed them as favourites to win.

"It is a good job I suppose that I didn't read the article beforehand."

The trio led the 2002 final by three shots going into the 18th and last end but dropped a three and then lost on the extra end.

In the last 16 they had a tough battle to overcome Eldon (Newcastle) 20-17, then in the quarter-finals they produced a fine performance to beat the reigning champions Plymouth Civil Service 14-8.

The semi-final was an all-Wiltshire affair but proved to be very one-sided as Westlecot thrashed the North Wilts trio of Molly Manning, Carol Grenfell and Janet Hardie 21-8.

The match finishing after only 16 ends with Westlecot in an unassailable position.

The final against Colchester's Liz Tunn, Gillian Cousins and Brenda Brown was tight throughout but going into the last end Westlecot led 13-11 and sealed victory with a two on the 18th end. "It was very pleasing to win this time," said Laming.

"We were two up going into the last end and Jean then put her two woods around the jack.

"I had one at the back and they were unable to move the jack so Jean's two woods were good enough for the victory.

Westlecot's only other national indoor title, in its 22-year history, came in 2003 when the ladies won the Over 60s Double Rinks.

l WESTLECOT men were denied in the last 16 of the Wessex League playoffs after a disasterous finish.

After a tight match with Bristol, three of the last four rinks dropped big scores which saw them crash 82-73.

They had lead 33-31 after 10 ends, and were only one down at 15.