WESTLECOT went into the new year still deeply involved in two national team competitions – the ladies’ Yetton Plate and the David Cornwell U25 Mixed Double Rinks – and still with several representatives in the men’s and ladies’ national championship events.

The ladies were knocked out early in the Yetton Trophy, a national inter-club competition, but seized their second chance in the consolation Yetton Plate with both hands.

They beat local rivals Swindon Manor 80-62 and Fairford 99-66 in the opening rounds to book a place in the last 32 against midlands side Bromsgrove (Worcs) over two rinks at home and two away.

However, the planned team to face Bromsgrove has had to be amended, with two of Westlecot’s most experienced players - Janet Willis and Josie Lloyd - sidelined.

The latter is recovering from an operation, while Willis suffered a broken arm ice skating with her grandchildren.

Victory over Bromsgrove would give Westlecot a last 16 tie against either Northampton or City of Ely in a fortnight’s time.

Meanwhile, the junior team march on in the national David Cornwell U25 Double Rink competition.

After earlier victories over Bristol (40-37) and MidGlos (46-27), they followed that up in the third round with a superb 54-26 success over Oxford City and County.

The foundations were made in the first half of the match where skip Mike Titcombe Jnr’s home rink of Craig Hatherall, Jake Webster and Gary Jackson led 14-7 at 11 ends.

However, away in Oxford at Marston Ferry Road, Kyle Anderson’s rink of Craig Morphet, Lucy and Katy Smith had made a flying start to the match and led 23-1 after only 10 ends.

Neither of the quartets looked back, keeping their form to both record comfortable wins as a halt was called after 19 ends at both venues with Westlecot in an unassailable position.

Westlecot will face Moonfleet 2000 (Weymouth) in the quarter-finals at the end of the month.

That match is now likely to be played on a neutral green approximately halfway between the two clubs.