CHRISTIE MILLER men came from behind with a superb late surge to grab a place in round two of the Denny Cup, the men’s national inter-club championship, as they defeated Nailsea 102-68, writes Dave Eaton.

The Melksham indoor club trailed Nailsea across the board 21-12 after five ends, 40-36 at 10 and were 60-54 down at 15 but then came back to turn the match on its head.

In the four-rink matches on the last six ends, they scored a massive 48 shots and only conceded eight to go from six down overall to claim a brilliant 34-shot win.

Despite trailing on three of the four rinks at 15 ends, the Millermen ended up winning on three and only losing one.

The biggest turnaround came on Paul Macdonald’s rink, where from 15-6 down at 14 ends, they won their match 22-15.

There were also wins for Wayne Snook’s four (21 shots) and Andy Moore’s quartet (nine shots), while the only losing rink was skipped by John Crowder, who went down by three shots.

This splendid overall result has earned Christie Miller men a second round tie against Clarrie Dunbar on November 14.

In other national competitions, Christie men are due to play North Wilts B in the over-60s double rinks and neighbours North Wilts in round two of the Egham Trophy, national mixed inter-club championship.

And Christie Ladies, after losing 87-69 to North Wilts a fortnight ago, face Bristol in the first round of the consolation Yetton Plate on Saturday - two rinks home and two away.

CLARRIE DUNBAR men began their bid for glory in the Denny Cup with a comfortable 84-52 victory over Thornbury.

They took the honours on three of the four rinks and drew on the other.

Clarrie dominated the match from the outset and across the board led 45-26 at halfway (ten ends).

This was increased to 67-37 after 15 and they finally ran-out comfortable 32 shot victors at 21 ends.

Highest winning rink was skipped by Graham Shadwell (19 shots), who continued his good form before heading out to Cyprus at the end of the month to represent England in the Atlantic Championship.

THIS weekend sees Clarrie Dunbar clash with Clevedon twice in the space of 24 hours in two national inter-club competitions - Yetton Trophy and Egham Trophy.

Dunbar, after a first round 89-77 win over Purnell, face Clevedon in round two of the Yetton tomorrow.

Then on Sunday, they face the Somerset coastal resort side again in the mixed Egham Trophy in a second round tie. In round one Clarrie thumped Purnell 108-40.

Elsewhere in national team competitions, Sanderwick-based Dunbar are due to play North Wilts B in a first round ladies Mason Trophy tie for over 60s double rinks, while the men have to face Clevedon in the men’s equivalent competition.

Finally, Clarrie will face North Wilts away in round two of the Top Club mixed competition after the Wiltshire side thumped Westlecot in round one.

SPENCER Melksham Bowls Club held their annual dinner and presentation evening last weekend.

The ladies trophies were presented by Bowls Wiltshire women’s president Joyce Little (Devizes), while the men’s trophies were presented by Dave Richards (Trowbridge Westbourne), the Bowls Wiltshire men’s immediate past president.

Well known bowls journalist and former international David Rhys-Jones, who used to play with the legendary David Bryant MBE at Clevedon, gave an entertaining after dinner speech.