WESTLECOT have made their best start to an indoor season for several years in national team championships and competitions.

They followed up their 76-45 win over MidGlos in the Egham Trophy, mixed team four rink competition a fortnight ago with three more team victories in national competitions last weekend.

The Old Town club brushed aside Rivermead last Saturday morning in the first round of the Ladies Yetton Trophy by 21 shots when winning 87-66 and taking the honours on three of the four rinks.

Westlecot’s powerful home performances played a vital role in their success as Linda Perfitt’s quartet won 25-14 and Patricia Murray’s rink 16-11.

The 30-13 away reverse by Janet Willis’ rink was cancelled out by the 33-11 victory for the foursome skipped by Wendy Anderson.

Westlecot only held a narrow 17-16 lead after five ends but moved to 42-26 up at 10. The 16 shot advantage increased to 20 (65-45) at 15 ends and 74-55 at 18 before the game ended 87-66.

In the Yetton Trophy second round, Westlecot have been dawn against Oxford City and County on Saturday, November 3 (10am).

Desborough, who won the Denny Cup four years ago, have proved to be a tough nut to crack for Westlecot in recent seasons. However, they rose to the challenge superbly last Saturday, beating the Berkshire side by 21 shots when running-out 91-70 winners.

Neil Smith’s foursome stormed to a big 31-11 victory while Craig Hatherall’s home rink chipped in with a 25-16 success.

These two rinks wiped-out the five shot home loss by Kyle Anderson and the three shot loss by Andy McIntyre’s four away in Maidenhead.

Across the board Westlecot led from the outset and never looked back. They were 22-14 up at five ends and 42-37 at 10. They led 68-53 at 15 and 80-66 at 18 before finishing as 91-70 winners.

They will now face another Berkshire side Whiteknights (Reading) in round two on Saturday, November 3.

Westlecot followed these two fine victories by completing a weekend national competitions treble with an away preliminary round Top Club success in Somerset over Bristol City and County at Ashton Vale by 12 points to four points.

They took the honours in four of the five disciplines, ladies and men’s two wood singles securing two points each, mixed pairs and mixed triples (Four points each) only missing out on the last end by a single shot in the mixed fours.

Westlecot have a tough draw in the next round of the Top Club as they have been paired with Clarrie Dunbar (Standerwick, Frome) who will field several Wiltshire outdoor county bowlers such as Spencer Moulton duo Graham Shadwell and Russell Francis.

n THIS Sunday sees Westlecot meet North Wilts in the first round of the mixed Egham Trophy competition, two rinks home and two away.

In the previous preliminary round North Wilts thumped Fairford 102-40 while Westlecot recorded an impressive 76-43 success against MidGlos (Brockworth, Gloucester).

The two Wiltshire clubs, Westlecot and North Wilts (Chippenham) have not met in the Egham Trophy for many seasons but a close encounter is expected.

n TODAY, Wiltshire’s men begin their quest for glory in the inter-county championship for the Liberty Trophy.

Last season they enjoyed their best campaign for more than 20 years, reaching the semi-finals before losing to to Kent.

This year player/manager Neil Smith (Westlecot) will be looking for the Moonrakers to go at least one better, as they didn’t do themselves justice in the semi-final last time out.

The Wiltshire side face neighbours Gloucestershire today at Cotswold IBC (Stroud) ad is only drawn from three indoor clubs with the closure of Christie Miller, namely Westlecot, Five Rivers (Salisbury) and North Wilts (Chippenham).

Players from Swindon Manor are not eligible.

Seven of the Moonraker side are from Five Rivers and four from North Wilts with the remaining 13 members from Westlecot Indoor Club.

Those selected are: Graham and Craig Hatherall, Phil Gregory (skip), Barry Sictorness, Dave Godwin, Kyle Anderson (skip), Paul Kistle, Tom Pittuck, Andy McIntyre, Mike Titcombe (skip), Chris Cheesley, Mel Biggs and Neil Smith (skip).

Westlecot’s Kevin Embling and Terry Walton are named as reserves to attend.

In preparation for the first round match against Gloucestershire, the Moonrakers held a highly successful full scale six rink Liberty trial at Westlecot beating Surrey 131-114 winning on three rinks, drawing on one and only losing on two.