WILTSHIRE Ladies recorded a comprehensive victory in the annual county indoor showdown against the men at North Wilts IBC (Chippenham) on Sunday afternoon.

After agonisingly losing by one shot on the last end two years ago, the women romped home in last season 148-99 and again thrashed the men 163-101 this time, only a last-ditch effort from the men denying them a six-rink clean sweep.

The rink skipped by Maurice Byron claimed counts of two and six on the final two ends to pull off an unlikely win, but that was where the good news ended for the men.

County men’s secretary Dave Williams’ rink, including men’s president Tony Watchman, snatched a late 21-21 draw but elsewhere Janet Hardie’s quartet (24 shots), Fizz Mace (19) Brenda Bowen (11) and Irene Button (10) all won for the women.

In contrast, the men had continued their fine form in friendlies, the latest win coming at Bournemouth a day earlier.

The county had won nine of their 12 matches and defeated Dorset 127-89.

Wiltshire men took the honours on four of the six rinks against Dorset with Martin Salter leading his rink to the biggest winning margin of 18 shots.

RESULTS

Wiltshire women v Wiltshire men

Rink 1: Ann White, June Coyle (both North Wilts), Babs Salter (Westlecot) & Fizz Mace (NW) beat Don French, Brian Mace, Dave Edmonds & Ron Read (all NW) 34-15.

Rink 2: Eileen Hawker (Christie Miller), Marian Lockey (Five Rivers), Bev Lilley & Marcia Cottle (both CM) drew with Gavin Newman (West), Tony Watchman (pres), Bob George & Dave Williams (all NW) 21-21.

Rink 3: Dawn Toomer (FR), Val Groves, Jean Collier & Janet Hardie (all NW) beat David Greenwood, Miles Pickering, Jim Wilkie (all NW) & Martin Salter (West) 34-10.

Rink 4: Joyce Little, Mo Price (both CM), Jane Taylor (pres) & Brenda Bowen (both NW) beat Gerry Tinson, Peter West, Ashley Ponting (all NW) & Ron Salsbury (West) 25-14.

Rink 5: Ann Roberts-Phare, Carol French, Ann Greenland & Irene Button (all NW) beat Martin Clarke (NW), Gerry Vincent (West), Peter Sanders & Roger Button (both NW) 25-15.

Rink 6: Marie Greenwood, Pam West (both NW), Delia Godwin & Sheila Garlick (both CM) lost to Ken Bray, Viv Price (both CM), Bob Roberts-Phare & Maurice Byron (both NW) 24-26.

Score: Wiltshire Women beat Wiltshire Men 163-101.

Wiltshire men v Dorset Rink 2: John Southern beat Paul Tidey 28-13; Rink 3: Ashley Ponting lost to Paul Humphrey 14-15; Rink 4: Martin Salter beat Jack Smith 27-9; Rink 5: Clive Swift beat Steve Weston 23-12; Rink 6: Alan Small lost to Brian Martin 11-25; Rink 7: Neil Connor beat Brian Rumble 24-15.

Score: Wiltshire beat Dorset 127-89.