MALMESBURY Bowls Club continued their 100th anniversary celebrations with a special match against the Wiltshire Men’s Bowls Association.

The representative side led by 2008 president Mel Williams (Highworth) was drawn from no fewer than 15 different clubs from around the county.

Malmesbury men led by their president Albert Parker made it a hat-trick of centenary home victories having already accounted for Bowls England and fellow centurions Swindon BC earlier in the season in mixed matches.

The hosts took the honours against Wiltshire Men by six shots as they ran-out 116-110 winners.

Malmesbury were successful on three rinks and drew on another.

Bernard Crabb, the club’s only former Wiltshire men’s president, skipped his rink to the biggest success for the hosts when claiming an eight-shot win.

The rink skipped by Colin Hicks, which included Albert Parker, won the battle of the presidents against the county’s Mel Williams by four shots.

Roy Wilcox’s team also won by four shots while Malcolm Curtis’ rink drew.

“Having already played Bowls England, it was another feather in our cap to have Wiltshire here today to help us celebrate our centenary,” said Malmesbury president Parker.

“We managed to win by six shots but the score doesn’t really matter, it is all about the special occasion.”

Malmesbury have three more special matches to play this summer. They host the Barbarians on Sunday, August 3, travel to Swindon BC for the return on August 10.

They conclude their celebrations seven days later with a visit to Windsor for an all-male match against The Royal Household.

RESULTS Rink1: Ashley Ponting, John Kerslake, George Pratt and Roy Wilcox beat Doug Fisher (Blue Circle), George Pike (Salisbury), Rob Liddington (Chippenham T) and Howard Brewer (Trowbridge Westbourne) 19-15.

Rink 2: Brian Reynolds, Malcolm Curnock, Aubrey Chivers and Danny Comley lost to Mike and Dennis Richman (Winsley), Mark Richman (Haydon Wick) and Dave Richards (Trowbridge T) 21-23.

Rink 3: Brian Willis, Alan Harris, Paul Wickham and Mal Curtis drew with Peter Stewart (H Wick) Brian Raymond (Chip T), Ken Goodenough (Salisbury Vic) and John Duncan (B Circle) 18-18.

Rink 4: Albert Parker (pres), Phil Geddes, John Smith and Colin Hicks beat John Snell (Alderbury), Hugh Deacon (Marlborough), Mel Williams (pres, Highworth) and Jim Roy (B Circle) 21-17.

Rink 5: Arthur Pound, Roger Tibenham, Bob Stinchcombe and Bernard Crabb beat Barry Wheeler (Swindon), Dave Eaton (Wootton Bassett), Mike Savin (Chip T) and John Wilks (W Bassett) 21-13.

Rink 6: Steve White, Les Foxley, Keith Hopkins and Dave Chiverslost to John Northover (Chip T), Alan Groves (Westlecot), Ray Fernandes (Swindon) and Stan Twine (W Bassett) 16-24.

Score: Malmesbury beat Wiltshire 116-110.