WESTLECOT'S hopes of glory in the Denny Cup are over for the 2003/04 campaign.

Beaten quarter-finalists in last season's national inter-club championship they surprisingly crashed out of the competition by 10 shots last Saturday at the hands of MidGlos.

They went down in their fourth round tie 86-76 to make their swiftest exit from the Denny Cup for many years.

Despite taking the honours on two of the four rinks Westlecot lost overall on shots.

At home Mark Dyer's rink were always in control and ran-out 10 shot winners.

But alongside Ian Jefferies' quartet were always struggling and went down by 16 shots.

Away at MidGlos Neil Hope's four always had the upper hand and ran-out nine shot victors.

However, on the other rink Neil Smith's quartet lost by 13 shots.

"It was disappointing to go out so early this year," said Westlecot captain Smith, "It has left a big void in our calendar.

"We knew it would be tough against MidGlos but still expected to win although they are a good side.

"We looked to have it won at 16 shots overall but needed a bit of luck to go on and win and didn't get it.

"For example on my rink we had fought back to 13-15 down after 17 ends and were holding one shot on the 18th. Their player fires a yard wide, catches a wing bowl and it shoots across the green, takes our bowl out and they score a four.

"They luckily take the jack and bowl it long. We had struggled on long jacks and promptly drop a six.

"It just wasn't to be our day but no one rink is to blame for the defeat. Even the two who won thought they should have scored a few more shots.

"We are a team, we win together and lose together."

Wiltshire will still have one representative in the next round of the Denny Cup despite Westlecot's exit.

North Wilts (Chippenham) won the all-Wiltshire fourth round tie with Christie Miller (Melksham) 81-59 to book a fifth round place against Victoria (Street) on Saturday December 6.

Westlecot results, Home Rink 1: Hedley Bowen, Tony Rivers, Mike Jackson and Ian Jefferies lost 12-28. Rink 2: John Thomas, Jamie Titcombe, Mel Biggs and Mark Dyer won 27-17.

Away Rink 1: Mike Hall, John Williamson, Dave Snell and Neil Smith lost 14-27. Rink 2: Kevin Embling, Dave Vowles, Graham Hatherall and Neil Hope won 23-14. Westlecot lost to MidGlos 76-86.