WESTLECOT’S indoor mixed team are enjoying a magnificent run in the national Top Club competition.

They have reached the last eight and on Sunday bid to book a place in the semi-finals of the national team competition for the first time when they face Exonia (Exeter).

The Top Club mixed team tournament is a relatively new competition, only being introduced by the English Indoor Bowling Association 10 seasons ago.

It is a points event featuring five disciplines – mixed pairs, mixed triples and mixed fours – all worth four points each for a win and two for a draw.

The two other disciplines are ladies and men’s two wood singles, which are worth two points each for a win or one for a draw, which means 16 points are available in each match.

Should teams draw eight points each, then total shots overall will be used as the tie-breaker.

In the past, the Top Club has proved to be a nightmare for the Westlecot.

Prior to this season, only twice have the club managed to get past the opening two rounds of the competition.

However, it has been a different tale this season as Westlecot have produced a fine run of results to reach the quarter-finals.

To date, Westlecot have notched four wins and used the same players and combinations in each round.

They outbowled Bristol 12-4 on points away and followed it with a 10-6 home victory over Clarrie Dunbar (Frome, Somerset) – one of the pre-season favourites to win the national title – as well as whitewashing another Somerset side Clevedon 16-0 just before Christmas.

Then in early January, Westlecot travelled to Poole to face Dolphin IBC and defeated the Dorset side 12-4 on points, winning the mixed pairs, triples and fours but losing narrowly in both two wood games.

Not surprisingly, Westlecot have opted for an unchanged side to face top Devon indoor side Exonia at the neutral venue of City & County of Bristol at Ashton Vale.

  • RODBOURNE Cheney Bowls Club are seeking new lady members for the 2019 outdoor season.

Whether you are a newcomer to the sport or an existing player, you would be most welcome at the friendly club.

Coaching is available and first year membership will be free of charge.

Further details can be obtained by e-mailing Tina Rose via Tina.rose@intergraph.com.