WESTLECOT’S junior team had to dig deep to win their opening tie in this season’s David Cornwell U25 Double Rinks competition last Saturday.

After trailing to Somerset side St Andrews (Weston-Super-Mare) for most of the game, last year’s beaten semi-finalists staged a superb comeback to grab victory.

Westlecot fielded seven of last season’s side, with only the unavailable Gary Jackson missing.

Trailing 33-27 at 15 ends and 37-35 at 18, they went ahead for the first time on end 20 with two threes to lead 42-39 and finally won 45-39.

New team manager Dave Godwin said: “It was a very good game and pleasing to win by six shots overall in the end.

“The lads at home produced a great comeback to cut the deficit considerably while it was a great performance away.”

In round two, to be played over the weekend of November 7-8, Westlecot have to face either Midglos or Bristol, two sides they beat last season on their run to the national semi-finals.

SWINDON Manor, who have only entered one national team competition this year, will face Westlecot in the first round of the ladies’ Yetton Trophy - two rinks at home and two away - on Saturday, October 24.

In other ladies’ national team competitions, Westlecot face Malvern Hills in the first round of the Mason Trophy (O60s double rinks) on November 6.

In the mixed competitions, Westlecot seniors have been given a tough draw in the Top Club and are away at North Wilts (Chippenham).

The main mixed team event, the Egham Trophy, Westlecot have a first-round bye and in round two face Leominster on November 8.

Men’s national team competitions kick-off on October 31 when Westlecot meet MidGlos (Brockworth) in the Denny Cup.

In the men’s O60s double rinks, Westlecot had a first-round bye and face Cotswold A (Stroud) in round two.

On the individual front, the ladies and men’s individual championship events do not click into gear until next month, with the exception of the champion of champions competitions.

In the Area 10 section of the ladies champion of champions, Westlecot’s Katy Smith has to meet Carterton’s Diana Wright in the quarter-finals by October 25.

Meanwhile in the men’s side of the draw, Katy’s father, Neil, is due to face Ken Sawyer (Fairford) in the last eight by October 25 and if successful would meet Carterton’s Bob Turley in the semi-finals.

SWINDON Manor, who recorded their first-ever Wessex League victory a fortnight ago, will be hunting further glory tomorrow.

Winless last year in their debut season in all nine of their east region group matches, they go seeking their second victory when they meet Oxford City & County.

WILTSHIRE men made a successful start to the 2015/16 indoor county friendly matches with a victory.

Under the stewardship of new men’s county president Bob Roberts-Phare (North Wilts) they won their opening game 101-92 against Oxfordshire at Westlecot last Saturday.

Despite Wiltshire only taking the spoils on two of the five rinks, the big wins by rinks skipped by John Southern (21 shots) and Dave Richards (11 shots) proved decisive.

The next men’s county indoor friendly is on Sunday when Wiltshire entertain Devon IBA at North Wilts.