WILTSHIRE MEN were victorious in the annual clash between the men’s and women’s county indoor bowling associations, staged last weekend at North Wilts IBC (Chippenham).

Although the six rink honours were shared 3-3, it was the men who came out on top by eight shots in a 117-109 success - their first victory in this fixture since a one shot win in January 2013.

The men led almost throughout the entire match.

Across the board they were tied 19-19 after three ends but had taken the lead 32-29 at five and increased their advantage to 68-45 after 10.

The women managed to cut the lead from 23 to 17 shots at 15 ends but still trailed 90-73 and cut the men’s lead further to 104-93 after 18.

But the men easily hung on to run out 117-109 winners after 21 ends.

Top rink honours for the men went to the foursome led by Clive Swift who beat Joan Coleman’s four 24-11.

There were wins also for the rink skipped by Ashley Ponting that contained Westlecot duo Gavin Newman and Wayne Clarke, who won 24-14 against Babs Salter s rink and Maurice Byron (four shots) who had Westlecot’s Dennis May at number two and the Old Town club’s Bronwen Rees against them as lead for the women.

Women’s top rink honours went to the foursome skipped by Marguerite Alexander.

They beat Dave Richards’ rink with Westlecot’s Alan Penfold at number three by the comfortable margin of 25-14.

Next best was women’s president Fizz Mace (North Wilts) who won the battle of the presidents, comfortably leading from start to finish to defeat Peter Sanders 25-18.

Her rink included at lead Westlecot’s Sue Reeve while leading for the men was her Westlecot colleague Dave Longhurst.

The other women’s victor was the foursome of Westlecot duo Isobel Jenner and Judy Hallard, plus Iris Read and Ann Roberts-Phare who edged out Martin Salter 18-17.