NORTH Wilts' rink of Janet Hardie, Val Molton, Sue Cooke and Alex Jacobs have qualified for the inter-area final in the ladies national fours championship.

Victory in the zone showdown against Area 29 winners Minehead at Taunton Deane on Saturday would book Jacobs’ quartet a place in the last 16 of the national fours finals at Melton & District on February 22-23.

The North Wilts foursome had to battle hard against a Clarrie Dunbar rink of Thelma Deane, Jo Dunford, Teresa King and Ailsa Midwinter, who led for 13 of the 21 ends, before winning the Area 30 final 22-18.

Jacobs’ team led 3-1 after four ends but then lost the advantage to a three on the next and trailed 10-6 at ten ends and 16-8 at 15.

North Wilts clawed a four back on the 16th end but still trailed 17-12 after 17, however the next proved to be crucial and the turning point in the match.

Jacobs was three shots down, however, with her last wood killed the end and on a re-spotted jack her team managed to collect a big count of six and edge ahead for the first time for ages 18-17.

Clarrie then levelled with a single but counts of one and a last end three gave North Wilts a winning score of 22-18.

This weekend is a busy time for both Sue Cooke and Alex Jacobs.

Following the fours inter-area final on Saturay at Taunton Deane they will be bidding to reach Melton & District in the last 32 of the national pairs championship.

Winners of the national title three years ago they face the mother and daughter partnership of Cynthia and Rachel Winter-Alsop (Thornbury) in the Area 30 pairs final at Victoria (Street) on Sunday (2pm).

North Wilts trio Jean Harris, Barbara Shepheard and Fizz Mace face a triple from Clevedon in the Area 30 national triples final at the same venue.

Skip Mace will be looking for revenge as, together with June Coyle, she saw her hopes of progress in the Over 60s pairs ended by Dyer when losing the Area 30 final 24-16 last week.

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