WESTLECOT’S men’s side extended their winning run in the Thames region of the Wessex League to four matches with a 72-62 victory over Oxford & District IBC last Sunday.

The Old Town club took the honours on three of the four rinks to collect 14 of the 16 league points on offer and move into second spot in the table on 59 points, only 11 behind leaders Oxford City & County with a game in hand.

Westlecot made a poor start against Oxford & District to trail overall 20-9 after five ends, but recovered to lead 32-30 at 10.

Their improvement continued as they moved 51-42 up after 15 ends and led 67-51 at 18, but were pulled back before the finish before finally winning 72-62.

Top rink honours went to the home foursome of Dave Matthews, Mike Bowden, Ian Farragher and Tom Pittuck (skip), who recovered from 6-0 down after five ends to win their game 20-13.

Meanwhile, the other home rink skipped by Chris Cheesley recovered from being 5-1 down after five ends to win their match 20-17.

This three-shots winning margin was equalled away in West Littlemore, Oxford, where Kyle Anderson won 15-12.

However, Westlecot missed out on winning on all four rinks and gaining maximum points as Andy McIntyre’s quartet lost their match 20-17.

Only one game is scheduled this Sunday in the Thames region as Rodbourne Cheney-based Swindon Manor face Oxford & District.

It will be a tough encounter as Manor are stuck at the foot of the table with only six points, while the Oxford side are in fourth spot.

  • AREA finals in mixed indoor national championship events featuring two Westlecot combinations have been organised for the Area 14 section, with a place in both the mixed pairs and fours last 16 the prize for the successful teams.

In the mixed fours, Neil Smith and his two daughters, Lucy and Katy, are joined by Ian Jefferies to face the quartet of Julia Hiley, Anne Marie-Murray, Andy Knapper and Robert Newman from Reading indoor club Whiteknights at Loddon Vale (Basingstoke) on February 7.

The following day, Neil and Katy Smith will contest the mixed pairs final against Whiteknights duo of Newman and Cheryl Colby, also at Lodden Vale.