ALEX Jacobs faces a busy January of national matches but it could be a rewarding month for the North Wilts bowler, writes DAVE EATON.

She has already won the Area 30 and inter-area final in the Champion of Champions competition and qualified for the last 16 of the national tournament at Hayling Island at the end of January.

And she began the new year with a hard-fought 21-17 national singles championship semi-final win over club colleague Janet Hardie to book an Area 30 final spot against either her North Wilts pairs partner Sue Cooke or Bristol’s Ros Constant.

Jacobs, along with Cooke, were due to play Clarrie Dunbar duo Ann Jones and Marcia Hartley yesterday (Wednesday) in the Area 30 pairs semi at Clarrie. Tomorrow (Friday) Jacobs (skip) and Cooke along with lead Irene Button face Ruth Haines, Jones and Hartley (skip) in the Area 30 triples semi-final at North Wilts.

Button, Jean Collier, Cooke and Jacobs play Clevedon foursome Jacqui Branfield, Margaret Dyer, Laura Holden and Stefanie Branfield in the Area 30 fours semi-final on Saturday.

Jacobs has also qualified for the Area 30 final in the Over 50s two wood triples along with Jean Collier and Sue Cooke after a 19-11 semis win over Christie Miller trio Wendy Gaisford, Bev Lilley and Sheila Garlick.

North Wilts men crashed to a 37-shot defeat at the hands of Christie Miller in the Wessex League local derby last Sunday.

The 90-53 defeat to the Melksham side leaves Chippenham-based North Wilts still looking for their first win of the 2015/16 Wessex League campaign and firmly rooted to the bottom of the table after three games in the central region.

The two matches at home at Westcroft were pretty tight but it was away in Melksham that North Wilts struggled against the Millermen.

Wiltshire men made a poor start to the New Year losing 119-109 in their opening friendly.

Under the stewardship of president Bob Roberts-Phare they went down by 10 shots to neighbours Dorset last Saturday at home at North Wilts.

Despite sharing the rink honours three-all, they drew level at 18 ends only to fade on the home straight.

County secretary Dave Williams led his rink to a 32-17 victory and Roberts-Phare won the battle of the presidents beating Jack Smith 24-19 while Maurice Byrom’s rink edged home 16-13.

Wiltshire’s next friendly match is at North Wilts against Gloucestershire on Sunday.