WESTLECOT Ladies will have a representation in the final stages of the National Indoor Fours for the very first time, writes DAVE EATON.

The quartet of Maureen Rogers, Julia Eatwell, Josie Lloyd and Doris Woodley became the first rink from the club to reach the last 16 in the English Women's Indoor Bowling Association National Fours Championships when securing a 17-13 win over Bromsgrove in the Zone 9 final.

Westlecot ladies have had numerous representatives at the national finals and even won a couple of national titles in the early 2000's, but this is the first time in 25 years, since the indoor club opened in 1983, that a rink has qualified for the last 16 and final stages.

The quartet who were skipped by Doris Woodley were always in control of the Zone 9 final, played at Banbury.

They led 8-2 after five ends and were 13-4 up at 10. They held a 15-7 advantage at 15 but despite being pegged back slightly were 16-11 up at 18 before running out four shot victors at 21 ends.

Westlecot now move forward to the national finals at Lodden Vale (Basingstoke) and the last 16 of the fours on Saturday March 8 (9.30am).

RESULT Zone 9 National Fours final: Maureen Rogers, Julia Eatwell, Josie Lloyd and Doris Woodley beat Gill Rees, Gill Cliff, Angela Sarrar and Christine Gregg (Bromsgrove) 17-13.

THE veteran trio of Rogers, Lloyd and Woodley bid tomorrow to reach another national final.

They compete at Banbury in the Zone 9 final of the Margaret Ashford Two-Wood Triples against a trio from City of Birmingham consisting of Pat Humpage, Di Green and Barbara Tew.

If successful they would progress to the last 16 at Nottingham in early April.