WILTSHIRE County Women’s Indoor Bowling Association was only officially formed just over 13 years ago in October 2001 and this season are enjoying their best run in the ladies inter-county championship.

After wins over Gloucestershire 142-104 and then Somerset 125-104, they have reached the quarter-finals of the Atherley Trophy and meet Devon on Sunday, (2pm) at North Wilts IBC (Chippenham) bidding for a semi-final spot against either Surrey or Kent.

Host club ladies again feature prominently in the side, with 15 of the 24 from North Wilts.

The fit again Julia Hunt (Westlecot) returns to lead the Wendy Anderson rink while Barbara Shepheard (now two) and Janice Bull switch positions in that line-up. In the Janet Hardie quartet Westlecot’s Jenny Vowles replaces Mary Buckle (Five Rivers, Salisbury).

The three ladies from Christie Miller - Eileen Hawker, Bev Lilley and skip Sheila Garlick - are joined again by Jan Tombs (NWilts) in an unchanged rink. They recorded the biggest winning margin of 16 shots against Gloucestershire in round one.

WILTSHIRE TEAM

Rink 1: Ann Roberts-Phare, Jane Taylor, Irene Button & Alex Jacobs (all North Wilts). Rink 2: Norma Rowden, Karen Funnell, Jean Collier & Sue Cooke (all NW). Rink 3: Julia Hunt (Westlecot), Barbara Shepheard (NW), Janice Bull (Five Rivers, Salisbury) & Wendy Anderson (West). Rink 4: Eileen Hawker (Christie Miller), Jan Tombs (NW), Bev Lilley & Sheila Garlick (both CM). Rink 5: Shirley Palfrey (NW), Jenny Vowles (West), Joan Coleman (FR) & Janet Hardie (NW). Rink 6: Linda Perfitt (West), Isabel Dawson, Brenda Bowen & Fizz Mace (all NW). Reserves: May Brand, Jean Harris, Evelyn Tape, Carol Massey, Ann White (all NW) and Mary Buckle (FR).

THE CENTRAL region of the Wessex League swings back into action on Sunday following the festive break with a full set of fixtures.

Leaders Clarrie Dunbar face bottom of the table Thornbury looking to move a step closer to securing a top two spot and an automatic place in the end of season play-offs for the overall title they won in 2009 and 2013.

There is a tasty derby clash between fourth-placed Christie Miller and one place back North Wilts, who are six points behind the Melksham club but with a game in hand.

Both still have hopes of finishing at least third in the central section and claiming a wildcard.

TEAMS

Christie Miller v North Wilts Home - Rink 1: Rod Summers, Paul Barnes, Dave Laws & Nigel Price. Rink 2: Tom Newman, Adrian Bolwell, Bob Pratt & Brian Routledge. Away - Rink 1: Chris Easton, Mike Savin, John Crowder & Paul Macdonald. Rink 2: John Bailey, Steve Snook, Graham Archard & Andy Moore.

North Wilts v Christie Miller Home - Rink 1: Richard Jennings, Maurice Byron, Dave Williams & Keith Hutchens. Rink 2: Alan Greenland, Gerry Tinson, Kevin Holmes & Richard Gainey. Away - Rink 1: Eddie Haslop, Peter Sanders, Clive Swift & Trevor Cooke. Rink 2: Alan Stell, Bob Hayes, Alan Small & Roger Button.