LOCAL indoor clubs Westlecot and Thamesdown both made fine starts to their 2003/04 Wessex League campaign.

Westlecot beat Oxford & District 89-55, winning on three of the four rinks to collect 14 points out of a maximum 16.

Thamesdown were equally impressive, defeating neighbours Fairford 78-62 and also picking up 14 points.

Tomorrow sees both clubs contest their second group matches in the East Region of the competition, but they face contrasting opponents.

Westlecot, placed second after their opening win on shot difference, meet in-form Carterton who hammered Rivermead in their opening game, winning on all four rinks for a maximum 16 points to head the table.

Revenge will certainly be in the air for Westlecot, as they fielded a depleted side last year against Carterton and lost on all four rinks.

However, despite dropping the full 16 points, they recovered in their final five games to only lose out to Carterton in the final group table by two points.

And they went much further than the Oxfordshire side in the play-offs, only being beaten in the semi-finals.

Thamesdown, in sharp contrast, face Oxford City and County, who went down heavily in their first match to West Berks (Newbury).

The Oasis-based side are fully expected to repeat the comfortable win they recorded last season at Marston Ferry Road.

Next Saturday sees Westlecot, beaten quarter-finalists last season, back in action in the Denny Cup, the national inter-club county championship, when they face MidGlos in round four.

2003 was an outstanding season outdoor for local clubs and the county, and tonight at the Assembly Rooms, Melksham, the Wiltshire Bowls Association will be holding their annual dinner and presentation evening.