LOCAL players feature prominently in the Wiltshire bowls side announced for the opening Middleton Cup match, writes Dave Eaton.

Wiltshire selectors have only made three changes to the side that performed superbly to beat a powerful Hampshire side 131-101 in a recent cup trial match.

Into the side come experienced Middleton Cup duo Kevin Embling (Westlecot) and John Williamson (Wootton Bassett), plus Amesbury's Mick Crook at the expense of Terry Spreadbury (Amesbury), Chris Cheesley (Purton) and Dave Royle (Rodbourne Cheney).

Wiltshire have been drawn in a South Midlands group this year and face Warwickshire in their first game at Stoke Bowls Club, Coventry, on June 7.

Mike Tyler (Amesbury) and Des Rideout (Westlecot) will make their first Middleton Cup appearances but missing from last year's side that just missed out on a quarter-final spot when losing to Cornwall are Andy Moore (unavailable) and Wootton Bassett's Martyn Murley who has moved away from the county ironically to Rugby which is in Warwickshire.

The 24-man Wiltshire team to face Warwickshire contains no fewer than 18 players from the Swindon area.

Westlecot have the largest representation with 10, while Wootton Bassett supply six of the side including three from the same family Dave Snell and sons Steve and Michael. The other two players are drawn from Rodbourne Cheney and Swindon Bowls Club.

And to increase the local representation the two reserves are from Westlecot and Purton.

Wiltshire are also due to play group matches against Worcestershire on June 21 at Kidderminster and at home to Herefordshire at Wootton Bassett on July 5.

WILTSHIRE Team (versus Warwickshire)

Rink 1: Barry Sictorness (Wootton Bassett), Des Rideout, Mel Biggs and Mark Dyer (all Westlecot).

Rink 2: Mike Tyler (Amesbury), Russell Francis (Spencer Moulton), Keith Hutchens (Westinghouse), Graham Shadwell (SM).

Rink 3: Kevin Embling (West), Nigel Price (Cooper-Avon), Graham Hatherall (West), Dave Snell (WB).

Rink 4: John Thomas (West), John Williamson (WB), Mike Jackson and Ian Jefferies (West).

Rink 5: Michael Snell (WB), Mick Crook (Amesbury), Neil Hope (West), Neil Smith (WB).

Rink 6: Barney Fernandes (Swindon), Gary Morphet (Rodbourne Cheney), Steve Snell (WB), Steve Warren (West).Travelling reserves: Chris Cheesley (Purton) and Tony Stevenson (Westlecot).