BOWLS: North Wilts into Plate last eight

After a comprehensive 101-49 last 32 win over Isle of Wedmore, the ladies from the Westcroft, Chippenham-based club followed it up with a 25 shots success last Saturday.

They ran-out 86-61 victors in their last 16 tie on the neutral green at Taunton Deane against South Hams (Kingsbridge, Devon).

North Wilts, who led overall throughout, took the honours on two of the four rinks, drew on another and lost on one.

The Chippenham team were indebted to the rink of Norma Rowden, the returning Jean Collier, Val Molton and Sue Cooke (skip) who recorded a big 32-8 victory.

They were 13-3 up at ten ends and just continued to pile-up the shots in the second-half of their match.

Alex Jacobs quartet were also victorious. They led 19-7 at 15 ends but were hauled back and eventually only recorded a six shots success.

Janet Hardie’s rink were involved in a very tight game throughout – 3-3 at five ends, 9-9 at ten and 13-12 at 15 but were 19-17 down at 20 ends, however, the foursome grabbed a two on the last end for a 19-19 draw.

Fizz Mace’s rink began with a four but trailed 13-5 at 11 ends. However, they pulled back to only 17-14 down at 19 but then dropped two singles.

North Wilts will face either Loddon Vale (Basingstoke) or Arun (Bognor Regis, Sussex) in the quarter-finals on Saturday, February 15.

The two have yet to play as Loddon Vale was being used for the finals of the EIBA U25 singles championships last weekend.

RESULTS v South Hams (at Taunton Deane)

Rink 1: Isabel Dawson, Jane Taylor, Irene Button and Alex Jacobs beat Mavis Wellington 21-15. Rink 2: Jan Tombs, Gillian Liilicrap, Kath Lloyd and Fizz Mace lost to Pat Janes 14-19; Rink 3: Molly Manning, Viv Baskerville, Barbara Shepheard and Janet Hardie drew with Leslie Crutchley 19-19. Rink 4: Norma Rowden, Jean Collier, Val Molton and Sue Cooke beat Fran Ryan 32-8.

Score: North Wilts beat South Hams 86-61.

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