SWINDON & District Bowling Association made a successful start to their 2003 campaign of representative matches.

President Mike Large led his side to a 16-shot victory in their traditional first match against the Wiltshire Bowls Association.

Despite the honours being even with three rink wins each, it was Swindon & District who ran out overall victors.

They improved on their two-shot success last year, running out on this occasion with a 123-107 success.

However, Large was unable to make home advantage pay on his own green at Cricklade.

His rink were beaten by the quartet led by Wiltshire president John Wilks (Wootton Bassett) by five shots.

Senior vice-president Ken Downton (Shrivenham) led the way for S & D with his rink recording a 15-shot victory.

The quartet skipped by Dave Gough weighed in with a healthy 10-shot win, while the other success was registered by the all-Cricklade rink led by Eddie Wells, who won by four shots.

Top rink for Wiltshire was the one skipped by Purton's Chris Chessley, who recorded a six-shot win.

Swindon & District's next representative match is away at Alexander Park on Sunday, May 18, when they meet Portsmouth and District BA.

RESULTS

(S&D names first)

Rink 1: Frank Smith, Alan Anderson, Tony Cope, Eddie Wells (Cricklade) beat Joe Backshell (Haydon Wick), Don Weston (Westinghouse), Mel Williams (Highworth), Mike Scott (Supermarine) 23-19.

Rink 2: Ron Glass (County Ground), Danny Williams (Town Gardens), Mike Smith (Wanborough), Ken Downton (Shrivenham) beat Les Little (Swindon), Ross Wheeler (Wootton Bassett), Richard Gardiner and Jim Nelson (Supermarine) 31-16.

Rink 3: Bill Pearce (C Ground), Roy Major and Ron Salisbury (Westlecot), Mike Large (president, Cricklade) lost to Peter Naish (Trowbridge Westbourne), Tony Bryant (Marlborough), Harry Langley (Swindon), John Wilks (president, Wootton Bassett) 14-19.

Rink 4: Norman Nicholls (Wanborough), Jim Hackett (Faringdon), Frank Etherington (Highworth), Dave Herold (T Gardens) lost to Dave Mitchell (Cricklade), Steve Haddock (Marlborough), Howard Brewer (Trowbridge W), Chris Cheesley (Purton) 11-17.

Rink 5: Roger Dyson (Haydon Wick), Fred Edwards (Highworth), Basil Rowland (C Ground), Dave Gough (Stratton Churchway) beat Mike Mortimer (Trowbridge T), Hugh Deacon (Marlborough), Dave Murley (Westlecot), Alan Penfold (Supermarine) 24-14.

Rink 6: Paul Cooper (Shrivenham), Rob Williams (Supermarine), Ivor Rumble (C Ground), Terry Hoare (Stratton C) lost to John Painter (Chippenham T), Derek Francis (Devizes), Dennis Richman (Winsley), Dave Richards (Trowbridge W) 20-22.