WILTSHIRE ladies side, showing seven changes to the team that were thumped 130-101 three weeks ago by Cornwall in the Johns Trophy, produced a much improved performance last Saturday at Devizes against Gloucestershire.

They took the accolades in their second west group match in the inter-county championship, defeating their neighbours by 52 shots (142-90).

It was the Moonraker county’s first Johns Trophy win in over two years in the group stages and ended a disappointing run of six successive defeats.

The introduction of four youngsters from the Wiltshire Amy Rose U31side – Charlie Harding, Joanna Richman and the Smith sisters Lucy and Katy certainly boosted the squad as they received their Wiltshire colts badges, as did Purton’s Julie Jones.

Wiltshire made a good start to the match and had built-up a 65-49 lead across the board at the halfway point (ten ends).

However, in the second-half they powered away to extend the advantage from 16 shots to a comprehensive 52 shots success.

Wiltshire took the honours on four of the six greens with Alex Jacobs and Linda Kingston leading their rinks to big 21 and 22 shot wins respectively, while skips Delia Godwin and Carol Grenfell both won by seven shots each.

However, skip Grenfell had to pull-out of her game after only six ends with a leg injury and is still on crutches.

Sue Ochyra moved up from three to skip the rink with Wendy Gaisford coming off the bench as the substitute at three.

With wins on four rinks Wiltshire collected eight points as well as ten for the win to bag 18 of the 22 points on offer.

Despite their win over Gloucestershire they still only stand in third place after two games on 20 points, two behind Cornwall and 20 points behind Devon who have won both of their matches so far. Gloucestershire are bottom of the pile on only six points.

For Wiltshire to progress to the quarter-finals they will need to cause a big shock as they have to face warm favourites Devon away in their final group match at Culm Vale (Cullompton) on Saturday, July 5.

In the other Group West Section A match Cornwall meet Gloucestershire.

RESULTS

Rink 1: Lucy Smith (Wootton Bassett), Jean Collier (Box), Julie Jones (Purton) & Delia Godwin (Spencer Melksham) beat Kay Gent 25-18. Rink 2: Viv Baskerville (Chippenham Town), Katy Smith (WB), Kim Smith (Warminster) & Fizz Mace (North Wilts) lost to Linsay Collin 22-24. Rink 3: Debbie Shadwell (Box), June Corbett (Town Gardens), Sue Ochyra (Devizes) & Carol Grenfell (Box) was subbed by Wendy Gaisford, Devizes after six ends owing to injury) beat Sue Osborne 20-13. Rink 4: Alison Fail (Purton), Margaret Annetts (Salisbury), Sue Cooke & Alex Jacobs (both Box) beat Rachel Hughes 31-10. Rink 5: Chris Mitchell (Purton), Marcia Hartley (Avon), Maureen Woolley & Janet Willis (Stratton Churchway) lost to Joy Sheward 15-18. Rink 6: Rose Ellis (Amesbury), Charlie Harding (WB), Joanna Richman & Linda Kingston (both Highworth) beat Lyn Hamer 29-7.

Score: Wiltshire beat Gloucestershire 142 (18pts) - 90 (4pts).

THE following day, Wiltshire lost out in the opening round of the Walker Cup to Somerset at Yeovil.

They managed to share the rink honours one all in the Women’s National County Top Two Fours competition with Alex Jacobs four producing a 23-16 victory.

However, despite only trailing by two shots 12-10 at 15 ends Fizz Mace’s rink then collapsed and lost their game 27-11 resulting in Wiltshire suffering an overall 43-34 loss.

Somerset progress to the regional final at Cotswold on July 13.

RESULTS

Rink 1: Debbie Shadwell, June Corbett, Sue Ochyra & Fizz Mace lost to Stephanie Branfield 11-27. Rink 2: Alison Fail, Margaret Annetts, Sue Cooke & Alex Jacobs beat Jill Young 23-16.

Score: Wiltshire lost to Somerset 34-43.

WILTSHIRE Ladies have been victorious in their last two county matches played at home at Amesbury and Pewsey Vale.

Under president of the day Mary Buckle they edged home in their South West Counties League match defeating Somerset 126-119.

They took the honours on three rinks and drew on another at Amesbury but lost heavily on the other two to cut their winning margin to just seven shots.

Alex Jacobs rink was top dog with a massive 33-9 success.

While in the friendly match played at Pewsey, Wiltshire edged home against Berkshire by four shots despite only winning on two of the five rinks.

RESULTS

v Somerset, Rink 1: Alex Jacobs beat M Dyer 33-9. Rink 2: Fizz Mace drew with L Palmer 17-17. Rink 3: Janet Willis lost to M Southey 17-27. Rink 4: Sandra Bartlett lost to J Bell 17-28. Rink 5: Joan Coleman beat J Price 20-19. Rink 6: C Grenfell beat L Walmsley 22-19.

Score: Wiltshire beat Somerset 126 (17pts) - 119 (5pts).

v Berkshire

Rink 1: Georgena Coomber lost to M Parkinson 15-22. Rink 2: Jo Dunford lost to J Holmes 20-23. Rink 3: Sue Burgess lost to J Lyons-Hill 16-18. Rink 4: Sue Baker beat H Simpson 19-12. Rink 5: Mary Buckle beat S Young 24-15.

Score: Wiltshire beat Berkshire 94-90.

THE county Ladies national pairs competition has been in full swing over the past seven days both in the north and south sections with several shocks already recorded.

The second round is due to be played this Friday evening with the third round, last eight both in the north and south sections scheduled for next Monday, June 30 to leave the quarter-finallists for July 12 at Bradford on Avon.

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