WILTSHIRE junior men opened their 2018 season with a friendly match in preparation for their bid for glory in the national White Rose Trophy, inter-county U25 double rinks competition first round match next month, writes DAVE EATON.

They were scheduled to play a four rink U25 match at Chippenham Town against Somerset U25s last Sunday.

Visitors Somerset were only able to field 12 players so the host club stepped in with a men’s triples team to provide opposition.

Wiltshire captain Mike Titcombe was involved in a tight battle but dropped a single on the last end to lose narrowly, as was Craig Morphet, who was edged out 23-17.

Ben Choules' rink struggled despite being tied 5-5 at six ends and lost 21-9. However, James Vincent (Salisbury) led his triple to a 33-10 success over a Chippenham side.

Wiltshire U25 men continue their build-up with another friendly match this time at home against Oxfordhire U25s at Swindon BC (Shrivenham Road) on Saturday, May 5.

Two days later they contest the annual U25 Four Counties May Bank Holiday Monday Tournament at Clevedon which will feature four sides - Gloucestershire, Worcestershire, Wiltshire and hosts Somerset.

RESULTS

v Somerset (at Chippenham Town)

Rink 2: Tom Newman (Avon), Jack Wilkins (Supermarine), Adam Bolwell (Spencer Moulton) & Ben Choules (Highworth) lost to Ryan Hooper 9-21. Rink 3: Jamie Shadwell, Haydn Daniell (both Royal Wootton Bassett), David Murray (High) & Mike Titcombe (Westlecot) lost to Jack Groves 20-23. Rink 4: Isaac Jacob (Trowbridge West), James Richman (W’lecot) & Craig Morphet (RWB) lost to Levi Hembrow 17-23. Rink 5: Josh Fail (Purton), Nathan Richards (W’lecot) & James Vincent (Salisbury) beat Roger Jackson, Bill Malone & Kevin Ringham 33-10.

Score: Wiltshire lost to Somerset 46-67 but won triples match against Chippenhan Town 33-10

TEAM

v Oxfordshire on May 5 (at Swindon BC)

Rink 1: D Murray (High), J Vincent, Jordan Moody (both Salisbury) & M Titcombe (West). Rink 2: A Bolwell (S Moulton), H Daniell )RWB), Tom Newman (Avon) & C Morphet (RWB). Rink 3: Jake Webster (West), B Choules (High), Phil Gregory & Craig Hatherall (RWB). Rink 4: J Shadwell (RWB), I Jacob (Trow W), J Fail (Purton) & J Richman (West).

WILTSHIRE have named the players selected for the opening Middleton Cup trial at Royal Wootton Bassett on Saturday, May 12 (10am).

Thirty-four players have been chosen for the first trial, the list dominated by bowlers from the host club Royal Wootton Bassett with 14.

Following the trial, the team to play Hampshire home at Bassett on Saturday, May 19 in the second Middleton trial will be named immediately.

This season Wiltshire will be competing in a four-team west group A alongside Gloucestershire, Worcestershire and holders Devon with only the group winner progressing to the quarter-finals.

They begin their 2018 campaign with a tough first game against Devon at Topsham on June 2.

WILTSHIRE Ladies have organised two trial matches in readiness for their Johns Trophy, inter-county campaign this season.

The first will be held at Wroughton on Saturday May 5 (1.30pm) and the second five days later at Devizes, May 10 (6pm).

This season Wilts ladies will contest a four-team west group A alongside Cornwall, Dorset and Somerset with only the winners progressing to the quarter-finals.

Their first match is away to Dorset at Sherbourne on Saturday, June 2.