WILTSHIRE men produced a superb fightback to beat Gloucestershire in their Liberty Trophy first round match last weekend.

The 24-strong team trailed 72-52 at halfway but turned the game around in the second half to win 123-117 and progress to round two of the inter-county championship, where they will face Hampshire on January 16.

The match was originally scheduled for North Wilts but had to be switched to Westlecot as the game clashed with a ladies Yetton Trophy, national inter-club championship third round tie, with the green at the Swindon Old Town club restored from its present five rinks to six for the match.

County men’s indoor secretary Dave Williams said: “The green bowled well considering it’s not used for six rinks any longer.

“It was a bit tight going on the ditch hands on rinks one and six as it used to be.

“It will be used again in the next round against Hampshire as there is another Yetton match again at North Wilts on that date.”

Westlecot indoor chairman Jeff Nichols added: “It was good to see the green can still be used for six rinks and bowled well - it means if necessary it can always be changed from five to six rinks again.”

Wiltshire led 32-31 at five ends but were 63-49 down at ten. They were struggling and appeared to be going out of competition as they trailed 92-79 at 15, with only two rinks of six holding a lead.

But then on the run in to the finish line, they produced a stirring comeback to cut the deficit at 18 ends to only 106-99 and in the last three ends powered ahead to a hard-fought victory.

Home favourite Ian Jefferies led his rink to the biggest winning margin of 34-9, while Andy Moore’s rink won 20-9 and skip Wayne Snook managed to draw his game 17-17.

Player/manager Neil Smith said: “It was a brilliant win and great comeback from 28 shots down at one stage.

“We got it to 13 then Mel (Biggs) got a much-needed six to cut it to seven and this seemed to lift the team. A storming finish saw us go 10 up and see the game out, winning by six.”