WILTSHIRE men are through to the quarter-finals of the inter-county championship for the Liberty Trophy after claiming a 121-119 victory over Hampshire in their second-round tie last Saturday at Westlecot.

The side containing 13 players from the host club produced a superb battling performance to avenge a 111-102 defeat by Hampshire at the same stage of the competition at Palmerston IBC (Fareham) two years ago.

It means Wiltshire will appear in the county championship quarter-finals and last eight for the first time for over 16 years, having won the Liberty Trophy in 1995/96.

Mel Biggs' all-Westlecot rink won 24-18 - the biggest winning margin - while Ian Jefferies’ home rink were always in charge of their game and triumphed 21-16.

Player-manager Neil Smith led his rink to a narrow 21-19 success while Mike Titcome, covering for the absent Kyle Anderson, saw his rink lose 25-18.

“The Liberty win was great,” said Smith. “I said we would start winning again this year and we are playing with confidence and belief we have not had for a while “I am proud of all the guys - Wiltshire back in the quarters.”

The Moonrakers will now face Northamptonshire in the quarter-finals at Westlecot on Saturday, February 6.

RESULTS

Rink 1: Chris Easton, Nigel Price, Paul Macdonald & Andy Moore (all Christie Miller) lost to Chris Martin 19-21. Rink 2: Kevin Embling (Westlecot), David Leighfield (Five Rivers), Dave Godwin & Ian Jefferies (both W) beat Colin Thresher 21-16. Rink 3: Paul Kistle (W), Dave Williams (North Wilts), Steve Remington & Neil Smith (both W) beat John Biggs 21-19. Rink 4: Ashley Plumb (FR), Tom Pittuck, Terry Walton & Mike Titcombe (all W) lost to Adam White 18-25. Rink 5: Steve Snook, Darren Anteney (both CM), Tom Warner (FR) & Wayne Snook (CM) lost to Martyn Wise 18-20. Rink 6: Gary Jackson, Chris Cheesley, Dave Snell & Mel Biggs (all W) beat Gary Starks 24-18.

Score: Wiltshire beat Hampshire 121-119.