NORTH WILTS men were beaten for the third time in a row this season as they lost their Wessex League local derby clash with Christie Miller.

The Westcroft-based Chippenham side produced their best performance of the season by far to win on two of the four rinks, but were still edged out by four shots as they went down 71-67.

The four points they gained for the two rink victories lifts them off the bottom of the table, three points above Thornbury.

At home Chris Brown’s rink recovered well from 8-0 down at five ends to be tied 10-10 at ten but 13-12 down at 15. Nine shots in the final six ends and only conceding a single gave them a fine seven shots win.

And another splendid second half gave Geoff Hembrey’s rink an away win in Melksham after trailing 7-2 at five ends and 10-9 at ten.

They moved 19-11 clear at 16 ends and sealed a 23-16 win over Andy Moore’s quartet with a four on the 20th end.

Meanwhile Trevor Cooke’s foursome at Melksham were 6-4 up at five ends but drawing 8-8 at halfway. They went 14-9 down at 15 and were not able to pull back the deficit and lost by five shots.

But crucially Keith Hutchens’ foursome were always struggling at home at North Wilts. They were 10-4 down at ten ends, 16-6 down at 15, 21-8 at 18 and finally lost 23-10.

North Wilts next match is on February 2 against bottom club Thornbury.

RESULTS

Home - Rink 2: Bob McComb, Alan Small, John Buckland & Chris Brown beat Chris Easton, Jim Roy, Graham Archard & Nigel Price 21-14. Rink 3: Richard Jennings, Peter Jacobs, Dave Williams & Keith Hutchens lost to John Bailey, John Crowder, Mike Savin & Paul Macdonald 10-23.

Away - Rink 3: Alan Stell, Alan Greenland, Jan Rodgers & Trevor Cooke lost to Tom Newman, Dale Hayward, Bob Pratt & Brian Routldge 13-18. Rink 4: Derek Clark, Dave Edmonds, Bob Hayes & Geoff Hembrey beat Paul Barnes, Steve Gedge, David Laws & Andy Moore 23-16.

Score: North Wilts lost to Christie Miller 67-71 and by 4pts-12pts.

FIVE players from North Wilts are included in the Wiltshire side to play Somerset at home in the Liberty Trophy this Saturday (9.45am).

Steve Snook, Keith Hutchens, Justin Davis and skip Wayne Snook are all named in a single rink for the inter-county championship second round tie against neighbours Somerset.

Meanwhile the other North Wilts player, Alan Greenland, is named as lead in Dave Snell’s rink.

This quintet from North Wilts will be hoping to make home advantage pay for them and the county.

The rest of the 24 strong Wiltshire team comprises of 12 Westlecot players, four from Christie Miller and three from Five Rivers, Salisbury.

In round one Wiltshire led throughout for a 14 shots victory as they ran-out 135-121 victors over Gloucestershire to set-up the Somerset clash.

WILTSHIRE TEAM

Rink 1: Jordan Moody, Richard Hindley (both Five Rivers, Salisbury), Kyle Anderson (Swindon Westlecot) and Nick Revell (FR). Rink 2: Paul Kistle, Denis Holborow, Kevin Embling and Ian Jefferies (all SW). Rink 3: Chris Easton, Nigel Price, Paul Macdonald and Andy Moore (all Christie Miller). Rink 4: Alan Greenland (NW), Josh Cottle, Hedley Bowen & Dave Snell (all SW). Rink 5: Steve Snook, Keith Hutchens, Justin Davis and Wayne Snook (all NW). Rink 6: James Nobbs, Chris Cheesley, Steve Remington and Neil Smith (all SW).

Reserves: John Buckland, Max Clark (both NW), Dale Hayward (CM) & Mike Titcombe Jnr (SW).

MORE PICTURES FROM THE WESSEX LEAGUE MATCH, PLUS MORE BOWLS NEWS IN THURSDAY'S GAZETTE & HERALD