MARCIA Hartley, from the Clarrie Dunbar club, has qualified for three national championship semi-finals in Area 30, as well as the area final in the national mixed fours competition in the next seven days, writes DAVE EATON.

She has reached the last four in the national championships in the ladies pairs, triples and fours as well as the mixed fours final.

Hartley along with Ann Jones were due to play former national pairs winners Sue Cooke and Alex Jacobs (North Wilts) in the area pairs semi-finals at home at Clarrie on Wednesday, while today, (Friday) with Ruth Haines joining them, Jones and Hartley were due to play away at North Wilts against Irene Button, Cooke and Jacobs in the area triples championship semi-finals.

Then on Sunday, January 10, Hartley together with Jeanette Wheeler, Debbie Shadwell and Kim Smith travel to Ashton Vale to face the Bristol foursome of Kath Bayly, Ros Constant, Sue Osborne and Val Molton in the area national fours semi-final.

Hartley joins up with Teresa King, Craig Hadfield-Doughty and Neil Collett next Tuesday (January 12, 6.30pm) at home at Clarrie Dunbar to play Clevedon’s Laura Holden, Pip Branfield, Gary Jay and England international Stefanie Branfield in the Area 30 mixed fours final.

Debbie Shadwell, who plays in the ladies fours championship semis on Sunday at Bristol, will also be involved in national action tomorrow (Saturday).

She competes in the Area 30 mixed pairs final (2pm) partnering Terry Perkins against Bristol duo Ros Constant and Paul Bryant.

And in the Over 60s pairs Maggie Morgan and Jo Dunford have reached the Area 30 final and are due to play away against Bristol duo of Sue Latham and Val Osmond, date to be arranged.

Christie Miller and Clarrie Dunbar both enjoyed victories as they both opened the new year in fine style in the central section of the regional Wessex League competition.

The former thumped North Wilts in the local derby by 37 shots while Clarrie Dunbar accounted for Thornbury by 19 shots.

Melksham club Christie Miller recorded their first win of the 2015/16 Wessex campaign as they demolished North Wilts 90-53 when winning on all four rinks and taking the maximum 16 points on offer.

This success lifted Miller out of the basement area of the central regional table and up to fourth place leaving Chippenham-based North Wilts firmly rooted to the foot of the table.

Miller led throughout against North Wilts holding a 46-27 advantage at halfway and gradually pulled further away.

At home at Christie, Justin Davis’ rink recorded a resounding 30-9 win while Andy Moore’s four won their game 23-14.

It was a much tighter contest at Westcroft, Chippenham, with skips Paul Macdonald and Wayne Snook (against his former club) collecting four and three shots victories respectively for the Millermen.

Clarrie Dunbar had a tight match against Thornbury on three rinks drawing two of them and winning the other 19-17.

However, a powerful home performance by Andy Colebrooke’s rink with a 17 shot victory gave Clarrie an overall 82-63 win and enabled them to collect 14 points out of a possible 16 to stay in touch for top spot with their arch rivals Bristol.

Russell Francis’ home rink came from 18-13 down at 18 ends to win the last three ends and share the spoils 18-18.

Away in Thornbury Neil Collett’s four were 14-11 down at 15 ends but pulled back to draw 17-17.

While on the rink next door Barry Barry’s foursome trailing 8-2 at five ends, 11-8 at ten and 13-12 at 15, hit back to grab a narrow 19-17 win.

RESULTS

Christie Miller v North Wilts, Home - Rink 3: Richard Buckland, Rod Summers, John Crowder & Justin Davis beat Dave Williams 30-9. Rink 4: John Bailey, Mike Savin, Tom Newman & Andy Moore beat Maurice Byrom 23-14.

Away - Rink 2: Chris Easton, Dale Hayward, Nigel Price & Paul Macdonald beat Richard Gainey 19-15. Rink 3: Steve Snook, Paul Barnes, Darren Anteney & Wayne Snook beat Alan Small 18-15.

Score: Christie Miller beat North Wilts 90-53 and by 16pts-nil.

Clarrie Dunbar v Thornbury, Home - Rink 2: John Jones, Alan Brown, Dale Taylor & Andy Colebrooke beat S Hunt 28-11. Rink 4: Peter Hooley, Nick Greening, Terry Perkins & Russell Francis drew with Colin Luton 18-18.

Away - Rink 1: Andy Taylor, Brian Hawkins, Craig Doughty & Neil Collett drew with T Mangan 17-17. Rink 2: John Freeman, Alan Colebrooke, Keith Bailey & Barry Barry beat A Tregoning 19-17.

Score: Clarrie Dunbar beat Thornbury 82-63 and by 14pts-2.