WITH the indoor season still in its infancy, national team competitions begin this weekend.

First up on the team front on Sunday is the Egham Trophy (inter-club mixed four rink championship) with two rinks of four playing at home and two away.

Chippenham-based North Wilts do not enter the competition until the end of the month when they face Nailsea in a first round tie.

However, Clarrie Dunbar who reached last season’s semi-finals, a first-ever team semi in the indoor club’s 31-year history, before losing to Kent side Swale, enter the fray on Sunday when they face old adversaries Bristol in a preliminary round tie.

Next Saturday (October 22) the Denny Cup (men’s inter-club championship) begins and features all three local sides.

The first local derby of the indoor season sees North Wilts paired against Christie Miller, Melksham, while Clarrie Dunbar meet Thornbury.

On the same day, the ladies Yetton Trophy (women’s inter-club championship) also begins.

North Wilts who lifted the top ladies team title in spring 2008 have been awarded a first-round bye and then face Thornbury on November 5.

Clarrie Dunbar ladies have been given a tough first round tie as they have been drawn against Bristol.

WILTSHIRE men made a fine start to their 2016/17 county friendly games with a handsome victory over Oxfordshire at Westlecot.

Led by new county indoor president Steve Hockings (Christie Miller) they thumped neighbours Oxfordshire by 50 shots as they ran out 127-77 victors, winning on four of the five rinks contested.

Wiltshire led 76-35 at halfway (11 ends) and continued to pile-up the shots moving 98-53 ahead at 15 and finally winning at 21 ends 127-77.

Top rink with a 24-shot winning scoreline was North Wilts duo Richard Davidge and Miles Pickering, John Bannister (Five Rivers, Salisbury) and skipped by Christie Miller’s Dave Richards.

Wiltshire men’s next friendly match is this coming Sunday when they entertain west country rivals Devon at North Wilts (2pm), once again the match is over five rinks only.

RESULTS

Rink 1: Don French, Brian Mace, Peter Sanders & Clive Swift (all North Wilts) lost to Bob Spencer 11-26. Rink 2: Clive Vaughan (Westlecot), Derek Elkins, Steve Hocking (both Christie Miller) & Martin Salter (West) beat Henry Franklin 28-13. Rink 3: Gerry Mitchell, Tony Watchman (both NW), Peter Naish (CM) & John Southern (Five Rivers, Salisbury) beat Tony Chamberlain 27-11. Rink 4: Gerry Vincent (Swindon Manor), Richard Ellis (NW), Keith Baker (West) & Ashley Ponting (NW) beat Mel Mansell 28-18. Rink 5: Richard Davidge, Miles Pickering (NW), John Bannister (FR) & Dave Richards (CM) beat Terry Gripe 33-9.

Score: Wiltshire beat Oxfordshire 127-77.