WILTSHIRE men’s U25 team produced a superb performance in the White Rose Trophy as the defeated Worcestershire 53-33 at Royal Wootton Bassett to reach next month's west regional final.

Wiltshire took the honours on both rinks skipped by Westlecot’s Mike Titcombe (16 shots) and Royal Wootton Bassett’s Craig Morphet (four).

Team manager Adam Tanner said: “Craig Morphet’s rink had a tough draw against England U25 back-ender Luke Lane, but put themselves 8-0 up after just two ends with some excellent early bowling. They went on to win 23-19 after 19 ends.

“Mike Titcombe's rink managed an excellent 30-14 win. Although they dropped a six on the 12th end, they immediately scored a five in response, and that was the only time all day that they dropped more than a single shot on an end.”

Tanner continued: “Once again, the character and spirit throughout the team was excellent.

Against Worcestershire, the young Moonrakers made a fine start and led 14-9 overall after five ends and 28-13 at 11 (halfway). They moved 37-28 ahead at 15 and 48-31 at 18 before finally winning 53-33 to book their place in the west regional final at West Backwell (Somerset) on June 18.

WILTSHIRE Ladies U31 side defeated Oxfordshire 5-2 in preparation for their Amy Rose Trophy campaign.

The trip to South Oxford was originally planned as a four-team tournament against Oxfordshire, Berkshire and Buckinghamshire.

However, owing to the non-arrival of several players from Berkshire and Buckinghamshire it was quickly switched to a top club style game against Oxon with three Berkshire players contesting the triples for Wiltshire.

Then the county faced the hosts in a double rinks match.

WESTLECOT and Royal Wootton Bassett have clubs dominate the Wiltshire squad to face Devon in their opening Middleton Cup match on Saturday, June 3.

The two clubs supply a total of 15 players with nine from Westlecot - Jamie and Mike Titcombe, Craig and Graham Hatherall, Gary and Mike Jackson, James Richman, Mike Richards and Ian Jefferies - and Bassett six - Gary Morphet, Mel Biggs, Steve Snell, Chris Cheesley, Dave Godwin and Neil Smith.

After the Devon game, Wiltshire then host Worcestershire at Royal Wootton Bassett on June 17 before making the trip to Gloucestershire on July 8.

SWINDON & District Men’s Bowling Association will be looking to make it two wins out of two when they face Bournemouth & District away at Fordingbridge tomorrow (2pm) after opening the 2017 campaign with a victory over Bowls Wiltshire.