WILTSHIRE Ladies produced a scintillating performance to defeat Devon in the quarter-finals of the Johns Trophy – ladies inter-county championship – at the neutral venue of Castle Cary (Somerset) on Saturday.

West Group A winners Wiltshire beat Devon, champions of West Group B, 115-108 to book a place in the semi-finals for the first time for 23 years.

The contest was close throughout, although Wiltshire led for practically the entirety of the 21-ends match.

They made a fine start and led 30-28 across the board after five ends. That was increased to 58-54 after 10 and it was 84-80 at 15. The gap was 101-93 after 18 ends, with Wiltshire eventually claiming a 115-108 victory at the conclusion.

Wiltshire took the honours on three of the six rinks and drew on another.

The top foursome were Avon pair Georgina Newman and Marcia Hartley, plus Box duo Jean Collier and Debbie Shadwell, who won 23-17.

Wiltshire will play Yorkshire in the semi-finals at Victoria Park, Royal Leamington Spa on August 4. The other semi sees Surrey take on Northamptonshire.

The next day, Wiltshire women’s excellent run in national team competitions came to an abrupt end.

They were beaten by 46-38 by reigning champions Somerset in the semi-finals of the west regional final of the Walker Cup – inter-county double rinks competition – at Victoria Bowls Club, Weston Super Mare.

Wiltshire made a very poor start and never recovered. They were 29-17 down overall at 10 ends, and although trimmed that to 36-29 at 15, the gap was extended to 42-33 at 18 ends before Somerset wrapped up a 46-38 win.

The foursome of Newman, Hartley (both Avon), Shadwell and Kathryn Yeoman (both both) drew their game 19-19 but the other quartet lost 27-19.

  • PLACES at the women’s national championships and competitions at Leamington will be up for grabs in two events being staged on Saturday at Spencer Melksham Bowls Club.

The Beanacre Road club will host the semi-finals and final of the ladies O55 fours as well as the Ladies Junior Pairs events.

In each event, the winner will secure a place at Leamington to represent Wiltshire.

The semi-finals of the Ladies Junior Singles will also be staged at Spencer Melksham, with the final then taking place on county finals day at Avon a week later.

Chippenham Town meet Box in the first O55s fours semi-final, while Salisbury face Stratton Churchway in the other.

The Smith girls from Royal Wootton Bassett, Lucy, 23, and younger sister Katy, 21, defend the Ladies U25 Pairs title they have won for the past five seasons.

They face Kara Little and Georgina Newman, with the other semi-final featuring Maisie Daniell and Jo Hicks against Emily Ambridge and Emily Jacobs.