WESTLECOT have qualified for the last 16 of the English Bowling Association National Top Team competition.

In the area final they whitewashed Berkshire champions Suttons (Reading) 5-0.

It was a fine victory as the Sutton side contained six Berkshire Middleton Cup players.

Westlecot took the honours in all five disciplines in the new competition being run this season to celebrate the EBA's centenary.

Two of the five matches were extremely close with an extra end being needed to decide the triples winners.

Westlecot now progress to the regional finals on Sunday, July 27.

The four regional finals will each feature four teams, with the winner from each moving on to the national finals at Worthing in August.

Westlecot wait to hear where they will be playing, but it is likely to be Cheltenham as the four venues are: Bournville (Birmingham), Century (Middlesex), Heaton Park (Manchester) and Cheltenham.

Results

Two Wood Singles: Kevin Embling won 16-8.

Singles: Neil Hope won 21-20.

Pairs: John Thomas and Steve Warren won 24-8

Triples: Graham Hatherall, Mike Jackson and Ian Jefferies won 18-17 (after extra end).

Fours: Mike Hall, Mike Shawyer, Mel Biggs and Mark Dyer won 28-12.

MIKE LARGE, the Swindon & District president, together with wife Jean and former S&D president Eddie Wells, were in unstoppable form on Saturday.

The Cricklade trio took the honours in the Porter Bowls Club Invitation Triples gala staged at Broadwell.

They won their section with 37 shots and then in an extremely close final played over 10 ends beat Filkins 11-10.

THE following day was not so successful for Large as his S&D representative side lost heavily.

Unable to field a full men's side for the friendly against South Warwickshire at Little Compton, the wives of three of the players came into the side.

S&D failed to win on any of the five rinks, and crashed to a 127-72 defeat.

Match secretary Fred Edwards said: "It is not fair on the president, who has worked tremendously hard over the years, that the association is struggling to fill rinks of all male bowlers.

"I strongly hope things will improve for the rest of the season."

S&D's next match is on Sunday when they entertain Bournemouth & District BA at Highworth.

Results

Rink 1: Frank and Josie Etherington (Highworth), Tony Bluett (Haydon Wick) and Dave Gough (Stratton Churchways) lost 13-23.

Rink 2: Sylvia and Rob Williams (Supermarine), Mel Williams and John Emmerson (High) lost 13-25.

Rink 3: Fred Rogers (Wootton Bassett), Jean and Mike Large, and Eddie Wells (Cricklade) lost 12-27.

Rink 4: Norman Nicholls (Wanborough), Mike Wells (Crick), Dave Herold (Town Gardens), Dave Woodbridge (Swindon) lost 16-30.

Rink 5: Brian Hunt (Swindon), Fred Edwards (Highworth), Chris Payne (Garrards) and Bob Hiles (Swindon) lost 18-22.