WESTLECOT’S mixed side did themselves proud, despite losing to the Wiltshire men’s county team in a friendly match at home last weekend.

A good deal of the Westlecot side were only used to two-hour sessions and competitions, and it showed, particularly in the latter stages, as they were beaten 116-89.

The lack of experience showed in the second half of the game as Westlecot went from 51-37 up at 10 ends, to only add another 38 shots but concede a massive 79.

Westlecot did take the honours on two of the five rinks, with Denis Holborow’s quartet winning by 16 shots and Clive Vaughan’s rink by 13.

The match also saw a rarity of the game – namely, a maximum count of eight shots, known as a hotshot – recorded by the foursome of Jane Croston, George Twine, Julia Hunt and men’s captain Holborow on the 16th end against Wiltshire men’s skipper Martin Salter, a Westlecot member who opted to represent his county side.

Westlecot captain Holborow said: “Despite the loss. I was still very pleased with all the team’s efforts.

“We gave the county men a good run for their money in the first half of the game but our side tired badly in the second-half.

“A good deal of them are only social bowlers, don’t have the experience, and are not used to playing a competitive game for three hours.”

Wiltshire men’s next two friendlies are away against Somerset today at Taunton Deane (2pm) and the annual clash with the Wiltshire County Women’s Indoor Bowls Association on Sunday, February 19, at North Wilts (2pm).

n SWINDON’S new women’s national U25 singles champion Katy Smith turns her attentions to attempting to clinch more glory over the next fortnight.

The 20-year-old Westlecot indoor bowler, who beat sister Lucy, to become a national youth singles champion at City of Ely IBC last weekend, makes her England U25 debut in Rhondda, Wales, on February 11-12 in the Home Women’s International Series – he sibling Lucy, 21, is named as a reserve.

Before that, Katy, Lucy, dad Neil Smith and Ian Jeffries take on Andy Knapper’s foursome from Whiteknights in the Area 14 mixed fours final next Tuesday at Oxford and County and on Thursday, Katy and Neil face Egham’s Helen and Steve Tuohy at Loddon Vale in the mixed pairs area final.

Both games are one step away from the last 16 of their respective competitions.

The Smith sisters also team-up to take on Banbury’s Carole Galletly and Kath Hawes in the ladies pairs Area 14 semi-final on February 19 at Oxford City and County.