SWINDON & DISTRICT Bowling Association’s men’s team kicked-off a new season in fine style by winning the annual opener against Bowls Wiltshire Men last Sunday by 11 shots.

The District representative side, under the leadership of 2014 president Peter Stewart (Westlecot), triumphed 100-89 in the five-rink friendly match played at Swindon Supermarine.

Although trailing 22-20 across the board to the county at five ends, S&D moved two shots up at 10, were 69-63 clear at 15 and just edged further away to a comfortable 100-89 win.

Despite the heavy showers and hailstorm, the Marine green looked in good condition and appeared to bowl well.

Swindon & District took the honours on three of the five rinks, with Paul Boyles’ foursome recording the biggest victory with a 16 shots success.

There were wins also for the rinks skipped by Supermarine duo Alan Clarke (10 shots) and Rob Millen (four shots), whose four were 15-11 down at 15 ends but turned the match around in the last six ends to win 20-16.

However, in the battle of the presidents, S&D’s Peter Stewart was second best to Wiltshire president Dave Richards, who led his rink to an impressive 27-14 success over Stewart’s rink, skipped by Westlecot colleague Bob Dickens.

Swindon & District’s Bowling Association’s next special game is towards the end of next month on Sunday, May 25 when they stage the Presidents Match on his own green at Westlecot.

The next S&D men’s friendly match is not until Sunday June 29, against Oxford Vice Presidents at Kidlington (2.30pm).

RESULTS Rink 1: Trevor Andrews (Supermarine), Mike Ballard, John Weeks (both Penhill) & Alan Clarke (Marine) beat Barry Folland (Salisbury), George Tappenden (Ramsbury & Aldbourne), Brian Merritt & Bob Fredericks (both Sal) 24-14. Rink 3: John Blake, Jock Kinnaird, Peter Stewart (pres) & Bob Dickens (all Westlecot) lost to Don French (Trowbridge T), Derrick Coleman (Amesbury), Andy Watson (Swindon) & Dave Richards (pres, Trowbridge Westbourne) 14-27. Rink 4: Darren Miles, Bob Iles, Mike Kilburn & Rob Millen (all S’marine) beat Del Smith, Dave Edmonds (both Wootton Bassett), Ron Salsbury (W’lecot) & Alan Small (WB) 20-16. Rink 5: Barry Sandry (S’marine), Les Cox (S’don), George Milne (Wanborough) & Paul Boyles (Purton) beat Michael Payne (Rodbourne Cheney), Ross Wheeler (S’don), Graeme Vincent (Highworth) & John Smith (Malmesbury) 28-12. Rink 6: Chris Payne, Peter Richardson, Clive Herbert & Dave Williams (all Garrards) lost to Gerry Vincent (High), Ian Bristow (North Wilts), Mel Williams (High) & John Southern (Ames) 14-20.

Score: Swindon & District men beat Wiltshire men 100-89.