CLARRIE Dunbar senior ladies team reached the last 16 in the Mason Trophy last weekend, but the mixed team were agonisingly beaten on an extra end in the fifth round of the Egham Trophy, writes DAVE EATON.

The Over 60s ladies double rinks team extended their impressive winning streak, which has seen them account for Purnell, Christie Miller, North Wilts and Thornbury, to five as they defeated Taunton Deane by five shots in a 45-40 victory in the last 32 of the Mason Trophy.

The home rink of Sadie Farrell, Ann Jones, Teresa King and Jo Dunford were comfortable 26-13 victors at Sanderwick but Lynn Baxter, Maggie Morgan, Sue Bird and Ailsa Midwinter lost 27-19 away in Taunton.

But, the eight shots away losing deficit was easily wiped-out by Jo Dunford’s home rink who won by 13 shots to ensure a 45-40 overall win and a place in round five (last 16) against Plymouth.

The mixed team failed to overcome their nemesis Torquay United for the third time in four seasons at the fifth round stage in the Egham Trophy, mixed inter-club national knock-out competition.

In a repeat of the 2011-12 encounter Clarrie agonisingly lost on an extra end by one shot after the four rinks were all square overall after 21 ends.

This latest mixed match against Torquay was close throughout in the early ends with the teams locked together at 50-50 after 15 ends overall.

Over the next three ends, Torquay United produced a surge to move 64-55 clear but Clarrie hit back with a superb rally to pull the nine shot deficit back to level the match at 70-70 after the regulation 21 ends.

This left the match between the two teams to be settled once more over an extra end with Clarrie looking for revenge.

Russell Francis’ rink at Clarrie was charged with playing the extra end and Craig Doughty killed the first attempt at playing it. But on the second attempt with the last bowl Ryan Whitlock drew shot to give Torquay victory, a place in the quarter-finals against Bournemouth and leave the Clarrie Dunbar players stunned.

RESULTS

Home - Rink 2: Sadie Farrell, Ruth Haines, Craig Doughty & Russell Francis lost to Ryan Whitlock 16-23 (a.e.e). Rink 3: Thelma Deane, Nesta Parfitt, Dale Taylor & Andy Colebrooke beat Louis Ridout 25-10.

Away- Rink 2: Marcia Hartley, Debbie Shadwell, Keith Bailey & Terry Perkins lost to Sam Tolchard 12-24. Rink 3: Kathy Walker, Kim Smith, Brian Hawkins & Graham Shadwell beat Danny Denison 17-14.

Score: Clarrie Dunbar lost to Torquay Utd 70-71 (after extra end).

CHRISTIE Miller are still running in one national team competition and will face Bristol away on Sunday in the Top Club, national mixed inter-club knock-out championships.

The match will be played over five disciplines - men’s and ladies singles over 21 ends, mixed pairs, mixed triples and mixed fours – with two points awarded for each singles victory and four for each of the other three disciplines. Should the match be tied at 8 points all then the result will be decided on number of overall shots scored.

Elsewhere over the weekend holders Clarrie Dunbar men play St Andrews on Sunday in round one of the Somerset County Double Rinks.

While Clarrie ladies who are holders meet St Andrews (Weston-super-Mare) in round one of the Somerset Women’s Optika Top Nine - pairs, triples and fours.

IN NATIONAL championship events and competitions played last week in the ladies section, the Christie Miller trio of Wendy Gaisford, Bev Lilley and Sheila Garlick were beaten 20-12 by North Wilts players Jean Collier, Sue Cooke and Alex Jacobs in the Area 30 final in the O50s two wood triples final.

Meanwhile Clarrie Dunbar’s Teresa King and her partner won the area final in the O60s pairs on a walkover after opponents Fran Stockford and her partner from Thornbury conceded the game.

In the men’s Area 30 championship and competitions Christie Miller’s Steve Snook was edged out in a very tight national singles championship match 21-20 in the semis by Bristol’s Barry Barry.

While Clarrie Dunbar’s Dick Discombe suffered a 21-7 loss at the hands of former England international and selector Pip Branfield (Clevedon) in the O60s singles semi-finals.

And in the O60s pairs semi-finals Fred Pope won an all-Clarrie affair 21-14 against Richard Doughty 21-14. Pope and his partner advance to the area final against a Bristol pairing to be played by February 8.

The other remaining championship singles, pairs, triples and fours semis as well as Area 30 Over 50s triples final involving either Clarrie Dunbar or Christie Miller bowlers were due to be played later this week or by the closing date of January 25.

And of course Christie Miller’s Andy Moore is through to the last 16 in the champion of champions competition at Warner Leisure, Hayling Island, from January 30-February 1.