NORTH Wilts men – who finished as runners-up last season – have made an impressive start to the new campaign in the enlarged Central region of the Wessex League, writes DAVE EATON.

They have won both of their opening two matches, beating newcomers North Petherton 99-58 and St Andrews (Weston-Super-mare) 103-67.

In both instances, North Wilts won on three of the four rinks to take 14 of the 16 points on offer to head the early table.

In the opening game against Petherton, Andy Moore’s quartet won 21-7 and Nigel Price’s four edged home 19-18.

The overall win was cemented when Tom Newman’s rink racked up a massive 41-5 away victory.

The only losers were Dave Williams’ rink, who went down 21-18.

In game two against St Andrews, Williams’ rink won 24-15 and Newman’s four edged home 22-19.

Another big rink success ensured overall victory, with Price’s foursome romping to a 40-6 win away from home.

The only loss came from Darren Anteney’s four, who went down 27-17.

North Wilts’ next Wessex match is on November 24 when they face Nailsea.

Meanwhile in national team competitions, North Wilts men crashed out of the Denny Cup in the second round after being beaten 87-67 by Clevedon.

But the ladies at the Westcroft club in Chippenham safely negotiated round two in the Yetton Trophy – the top ladies inter-club knockout competition – after they defeated Bristol 88-79.

North Wilts led 18-14 after five ends, 35-33 at 10 and 58-54 at 15.

They were 67-64 up after 18 ends and one last flourish saw them extend the final winning score at 21 ends to 88-79.

North Wilts won on three of the four rinks, with top honours going to the home foursome of Viv Baskerville, Barbara Shepheard, Betty Cowe and skip Jean Collier 27-14, while Fizz Mace’s quartet edged home 18-17.

Away in Bristol, Alex Jacob’s rink won 25-19 but Sue Cooke’s four went down 29-18.

North Wilts face MidGlos (Brockworth, Gloucester) in the next round of the Yetton Trophy on November 16.

In the mixed Egham Trophy, North Wilts face Bristol on Sunday, with two rinks played at home and two away at Ashton Vale.

  • CLARRIE Dunbar have made a great start to the new indoor season and are unbeaten in all national and regional team competitions.

Winners of the Central region of the Wessex League last season and beaten semi-finalists in the play-offs, the men kicked off their 2019-20 campaign with a massive 153-46 win over Gloucestershire side Thornbury.

They took a full house of 16 points, while three of the four rinks managed to hit the 40-shots mark.

They were led by home skips Russell Francis (42-8) and Graham Shadwell (40-11).

While away in Thornbury, Andy Colebrooke’s rink won 44-14 and Keith Bailey’s quartet triumphed 27-13.

Currently, Clarrie lie second in the Central table on 16 points – 10 behind leaders North Wilts but with a match in hand.

Clarrie’s next Wessex match is against Bristol on December 1.

In national team competitions, Clarrie men produced a fine performance to thump Malvern Hills (Worcs) 97-64 in the second round of the Denny Cup.

At the same time, the ladies were involved in a much tighter Yetton Trophy match against Thornbury and were victorious 79-72.

The draw for the next round in both competitions has thrown up a coincidental tie, with Clarrie men and ladies paired against Clevedon in round three on November 16.