WILTSHIRE'S men failed to keep their recent run of good performances over Devon going when they lost to their west country rivals in the opening match of the 2018 Middleton Cup (inter-county championship.

Seven days earlier Wiltshire had travelled down to Topsham (Exeter) to face Devon in the Balcomb Trophy men’s county two fours competition and left triumphant, winning 34-27, but they could not repeat the performance last Saturday.

Moonrakers had to give second best to the Middleton Cup holders, going down by 23 shots at Topsham as they lost 128-105.

Wiltshire only took the honours on two rinks, went close on two others but lost heavily on the other two. Devon’s seven current England internationals on display against Wiltshire’s none proving decisive.

The top Moonraker rink honours went to the foursome of Bassett newcomer Phil Gregory, Tom Warner (Salisbury) and Bassett duo Graham Hatherall and Neil Collett who beat England’s Jamie Chestney 26-17.

The other success came on a rejigged rink as Graham Shadwell never recovered from his shoulder injury. The all-Royal Wootton Bassett rink of reserve Andy Blake, Craig Morphett, Kyle Anderson and promoted skip Steve Snell beat England’s Rob Paxton 22-15.

Player-manager Neil Smith (RWB) went close, losing by one shot and Spencer Moulton’s Russell Francis by four shots, but Bassett’s Mel Biggs crashed 14-26 and Holt’s Ben Gadd by 22 shots.

Wiltshire face Worcestershire away in their second Middleton Cup game at Stourport on Saturday, June 16. The team is still to be announced.

RESULTS v Devon (Middleton Cup) at Topsham (Exeter), Rink 1: Andy Blake, Craig Morphet, Kyle Anderson & Steve Snell (all Royal Wootton Bassett) beat Robert Paxton 22-15. Rink 2: Wayne Simmonds (Holt), Craig Hatherall (RWB), Wayne Snook & Ben Gadd (both Holt) lost to Louis Ridout 11-33. Rink 3: James Nobbs (RWB), Mike Titcombe, Ian Jefferies (both Westlecot) & Neil Smith (player/manager, RWB) lost to Griff Sanders 19-20. Rink 4: Phil Gregory (RWB), Tom Warner (Salisbury), Graham Hatherall & Neil Collett (both RWB) beat Jamie Chestney 26-17. Rink 5: Gary Jackson, Mike Jackson (both West), Gary Morphet & Mel Biggs (both RWB) lost to Ian Lesley 14-26. Rink 6: Paul Kistle (West), Chris Cheesley, Dave Godwin (RWB) & Russell Francis (Spencer Moulton) lost to James Webber 13-17.

Score: Wiltshire lost to Devon 105-128 and by 4pts to 18 pts.

THE quarter-finals in the national county triples championships produced some interesting results on Monday evening at Westlecot and a few surprises as well.

Holt, who have dominated the county triples championships with five victories in the past eight seasons from two separate trios, will not be represented in this season’s final stages of the triples.

The Holt team skipped by Justin Davis were beaten 20-17 by Salisbury led by Jamie Reynolds in the last eight 20-17.

While Royal Wootton Bassett, who had four teams in the quarter-finals, only have one left in the county triples championships.

Holt trailed throughout the quarter-final losing 14-4 at 10 ends and 19-13 at 15 despite a big seven on end 12 and finally lost by three shots.

The other Salisbury side skipped by Danny Russell came from behind to oust Royal Wootton Bassett led by Steve Snell.

Bassett led 12-2 at seven ends and 14-7 at 13 but then dropped 10 shots in the next four ends to trail 17-14 and a two on the last end was not enough to prevent a one shot defeat.

Chippenham Town’s triple of Jeremy Haselton, Willie Jones and Steve Heseltine also had to come from behind to beat another Bassett team.

They trailed Michael Snell’s threesome of Barry Sictorness and Chris Cheesley 4-3 at five ends and 11-6 at 10 but then a fine run of seven shots on the next four saw them move ahead for the first time 13-11 at 14 ends and hold off Bassett to claim a 16-14 success.

A team of new players at Bassett this season of Graham and son Craig Hatherall (moved from Westlecot) and ex-Welsh international Neil Collett are the other quarter-final winners who progress to the semis.

They led a fellow Bassett trio skipped by Anthony Sprules 6-2 after five ends but trailed 14-7 at 11 and then 15-8 at 13. However, they fought back with a run of 12 shots in the next five ends to claim a fine 20-16 victory and a place in the last four at Devizes on Sunday, June 17 the same day as the men’s fours semi-finals are being staged as well.

Men’s Fours semi-finals @ Devizes June 17 (10.30am): Dave Godwin (RWB) v Ben Gadd (Holt), Colin Easton (Avon) v Gary Morphet (RWB).

Men’s Triples semi-finals @ Devizes June 17 (10.30am): Danny Russell (Salisbury) v Jamie Reynolds (Salisbury), Neil Collett (RWB) v Steve Heseltine (Chip Town).