BOWLS: WESTLECOT are certain of a place in the Wessex League end-of-season play-offs following their win at Newbury over West Berks.

Whether they finish as East Region champions depends on their final group match to be played on February 19 against lowly Reading side Rivermead.

Currently, Westlecot head the table with 65 points, six clear of second placed Oxford and District, and 11 more than West Berks who have completed their fixtures.

Westlecot recorded their fifth league win of the season with a healthy 25-shot victory over West Berks in the top of the table clash.

Despite only taking the honours on their two home rinks they kept their unbeaten league run this season going with a 90-65 win and took 12 out of a possible 16 points.

At Westlecot, Dave Snell's rink made a flying start and were 9-1 up after five ends but had been pulled back to 10-6 after 10.

However, they upped the pace to lead 17-7 at 15 ends before securing a 16 shot win with their opponents only scoring three shots in the second half of the game.

Alongside Neil Smith's quartet were involved in a tight first half and only led 7-5 after 10 ends. But they then powered away to lead 15-10 at 15 ends and a final winning margin of 16 shots.

It was a different story at Newbury on the West Berks green.

Mike Jackson's rink were tied 5-5 after 5 ends but trailed 12-6 after 10. Six shots down at halfway they were unable to claw the deficit back and lost by six shots.

Chris Cheesley's quartet also lost but only after a spirited fightback. After 10 ends they were 8-12 down and 12-19 adrift at 15.

They fought back brilliantly to win four of the next five ends and draw level at 20-20.

However, they conceded a single on the last to just be edged out.

SCORES Home Rink 1: Kevin Embling, Dan Bluett, Dave Vowles and Dave Snell won 25-9.

Rink 2: Paul Kistle, Jamie Titcombe, Tony Rivers and Neil Smith 28-12.

Away Rink 1: Mike Hall, Ian Thomas, Hedley Bowen and Mike Jackson lost 17-23.

Rink 2: John Thomas, Jeff Nichols, Mike Shawyer and Chris Cheesley lost 20-21.

Westlecot won 90-65 and by 12pts to 4.

RESULTS

Carterton 113 (16) Fairford 48 (0); Oxford C&C 60 (0) Oxford & D 109 (16); West Berks 65 (4) Westlecot 90 (12).

Latest Standings: 1 Westlecot played 5, 65pts ; 2 Oxford & D (5-59); 3 West Berks (6-54); 4 Carterton (5-46); 5 Oxford C&C (5-26); 6 Rivermead (5-24) 7 Fairford (5-14).

Final group fixtures (Feb 19): Carterton v Oxford C & C; Fairford v Oxford & D; Rivermead v Westlecot.