CHRISTIE Miller men had to give second best to Clarrie Dunbar in their Denny Cup local derby last Saturday, writes DAVE EATON.

The Melksham side were always adrift and finally lost 82-62 in their second round inter-county championship tie.

Across the board Christie were 24-14 down at five ends and 40-31 at ten but were only 54-49 adrift at 15. However, Clarrie moved up a gear extending their lead to 69-54 at 18 ends and finally won 82-62.

Christie Miller drew on the home rink skipped by John Crowder against Graham Shadwell while Andy Moore also at home lost by three shots after dropping a count of four on the penultimate (20th) end.

However both Miller away rinks were always playing catch-up against skips Russell Francis and Andy Colebrooke.

Dunbar move forward to round three in the Denny Cup and will face old adversaries Bristol next Saturday, November 28.

To complete an unwanted double last Saturday for Miller, their ladies team were beaten 92-70 by Bristol in the Yetton Plate.

RESULTS

Christie Miller v Clarrie Dunbar Home - Rink 4: Richard Buckland, Dale Hayward, Adi Bolwell & John Crowder drew with Ian Perkins, Fred Pope, Craig Doughty & Graham Shadwell 17-17. Rink 3: Colin Little, Sid Jay, Tom Newman & Andy Moore lost to Colin Easton, G Wride, Keith Bailey & Terry Perkins 17-20.

Away - Rink 3: Peter Renshaw, Paul Barnes, Darren Anteney & Wayne Snook lost to Peter Hooley, C Spurrey, Brian Hawkins & Russell Francis 19-28. Rink 2: Chris Easton, Mike Savin, Nigel Price & Paul Macdonald lost to John Jones, Alan Brown, Barry Barry & Andy Colebrooke 9-17.

Score: Christie Miller lost to Clarrie Dunbar 62-82.

A BUSY FORTNIGHT is in prospect for local clubs Clarrie Dunbar in particular and Christie Miller in national team competitions.

First up are the Dunbar ladies team who face North Wilts, previous winners of the Yetton Trophy in the 2007/08 season, in a third round tie this Saturday - two rinks home and two away.

Clarrie’s men have to meet Bristol twice by next weekend in different national team competitions - third round of the Denny Cup and third round also of the Over 60s double rinks.

In the mixed national team competitions Clarrie are still running in the top two main events, Egham Trophy and Top Club, and have been drawn against North Wilts in both.

They face North Wilts in the Egham, two rinks home and two away next Sunday, November 29 and must play them also in a second round Top Club tie at Westcroft, Chippenham, on or before December 6.

Christie Miller are also through to the second round of the Top Club after receiving a first round bye. They meet Purnell at home on or before December 6.

THIS WEEKEND sees second round matches in the central section of the men’s regional Wessex League competition being staged with all three clubs in this readership area Christie Miller, Clarrie Dunbar and North Wilts taking part.

North Wilts men had a bye in the first round as there are seven teams in the central section - Bristol, Christie Miller, Clarrie Dunbar, Nailsea, North Wilts, Purnell and Thornbury.

The Westcroft -based Chippenham team therefore open up their 2015/16 Wessex campaign this Sunday morning (10am) with a match against Purnell (Paulton) - two rinks home and two away.

Meanwhile Christie Miller meet Nailsea and holders Clarrie Dunbar face their old adversaries Bristol.

SUNDAY’S FIXTURES

Bristol v Clarrie Dunbar (holders); Purnell v North Wilts; Nailsea v Christie Miller; Thornbury have a bye.

ROUND ONE RESULTS

Bristol 89 (14pts) Christie Miller 58 (2pts); Clarrie Dunbar 131 (16pts) Purnell 50 (0pts); Thornbury 83 (11pts) Nailsea 76 (5pts).