WESTLECOT were beaten in their crucial final East region group match of the season by Carterton but just managed to retain second place in the table and gain an automatic place into the end-of-season play-offs for the overall Wessex League crown.

The Old Town club went down 91-76 to their Oxfordshire rivals but managed to pick up two points thanks to Kyle Anderson’s rink at home, who registered the club’s only victory on the four rinks contested.

Combined, Westlecot won the two rinks played at home 49-38 thanks to the healthy 31-17 win from Anderson’s rink of his dad John, Tom Pittuck, Dave Godwin and Kyle Anderson.

However, away in , the Old Town club lost on both rinks despite John Thomas’ four leading 13-1 after eight ends. They only scored another three shots and conceded 23 in the last 13 ends to lose 24-16.

On the next green, Chris Cheesley’s quartet struggled throughout and lost by 18 shots.

Across the board Westlecot led 23-10 at five ends and 42-33 after 10 but were 61-59 down after 15, although had restored parity 70-70 after 18 ends.

But Carterton pressed on for victory, scoring 21 shots overall on the last three ends as Westlecot only mustered a meagre six.

The result sees Westlecot creep into the last 16 teams for the play-offs, with the first round draw to be held on Sunday morning directly after the Wessex League AGM has finished.

First round play-off games commence on Sunday, March 4.