WESTLECOT mixed team continued their march in the Egham Trophy with a magnificent performance against Leominster.

After fine victories over Carterton (93-88) and Gloucester (90-61), Westlecot faced a tough test last Sunday against Leominster in the third round of the national mixed inter-club championship event as the Herefordshire side had dumped the highly-rated Cotswold Bowls Club out in the previous round.

But Westlecot produced a top-quality showing and led the match throughout to take the honours on three of the four rinks in a 21-shot victory.

They led 28-12 across the board after five ends, 49-30 at 10 and continued to hold the upper hand leading 67-50 at 15, 74-60 at 18 before extending the final winning margin to 93-72.

Rinks skipped by Ian Jefferies, Kyle Anderson and Dave Snell all won but Tom Walkley’s quartet dropped a four on the last end and lost.

Westlecot will face another midlands side, Rugby Thornfield, in the fourth round on Sunday, December 21, and will be looking to go into the New Year still in a national competition, just like the ladies who have put a strong run together to qualify for the third round of the Yetton Plate.

Westlecot men are through to the fourth round of the national men’s Over 60s Double Rinks competition and have booked a meeting with Cotswold after a comfortable 40-25 victory over MidGlos A.

Westlecot were always in control of the third round tie, leading 31-22 at 15 ends and eventually going on to a 15-shot victory after winning on both rinks.

ANOTHER round of group matches in the East region of the Wessex League are scheduled for tomorrow.

However, only eight of the 10 teams will be taking part as West Berks (Newbury) and Westlecot historically sit out games in December, the latter because of the planned planetbowls.com tournament in December at the Old Town club.

Swindon Manor, who have found life very tough in their debut season in the Wessex League, face Carterton seeking a first win in four matches and hoping to close the gap at the foot of the table.

West Berks currently lead the East section on 60 points from four games, with Carterton second on 40. Westlecot are third on 37 but with a match in hand, and Loddon Vale are fourth on 27 also from three matches.

Swindon Manor fill the basement spot with just one point from three games, with Chipping Norton above them on 15 from four matches and Oxford City and County on 17.

SIXTEEN players have been battling it out in a preliminary competition for two places in next month’s Westlecot Open Singles Tournament.

There have been several shocks on the way, with Dave Godwin and England under 25s triallists Lucy Smith and younger sister Katy all being eliminated.

John Thomas, Keith Williamson, Tom Pittuck and Dave Matthews were due to contest the semi-finals last night, with the two winners earning the right to play in the main tournament.