NORTH WILTS endured mixed fortunes last weekend in national team competitions winning in the ladies inter-club Yetton Trophy but losing heavily in the men’s second chance Denny Plate.

But the other indoor club in the area Clarrie Dunbar had no such problems recording big victories in both the ladies Yetton Trophy and men’s Denny Cup competitions.

Westcroft, Chippenham-based North Wilts women march on into the fourth round and last 32 of the Yetton after a hard fought and close third round tie against MidGlos IBC (Brockworth, Glos) winning 80-71.

Despite leading overall throughout the entire game North Wilts could not shake-off very determined opponents and establish a healthy lead.

North Wilts led 24-12 overall after five ends and 44-36 at 10. They were 62-55 up at 15 ends, moved 75-63 ahead at 18 and finally won 80-71 with the away rinks in Brockworth turning up trumps as Jean Collier’s quartet at home drew 19-19 and Fizz Maces’ rink lost 13-19.

This gave a home deficit of six shots but it was eradicated with interest by the away foursome of Ann Roberts-Phare, Jane Taylor, Irene Button and skip Alex Jacobs who won 24-14 (10shots) and by the away quartet of Helen Ellis, Marguerite Alexander, Betty Cowe and skip Sue Cooke who won their match 24-19 (five shots).

Unfortunately North Wilts men could not complete the Yetton and Denny double as they lost 53-85 to Malvern Hills in the Denny Plate with the match not going the full distance to 21 ends..

The two home rinks managed to tie their match 33-all with Dave Williams four winning 17-10 while Nigel Price’s quartet went down 16-23.

The problem was away where Andy Moore’s quartet only lost by five shots (15-20) but Maurice Byron’s rink struggled throughout and crashed to a heavy 32-5 loss, their game being conceded after 18 ends.

CLARRIE DUNBAR easily brushed aside Clevedon in the morning in the Yetton Trophy 85-60 and thumped the Somerset side in the afternoon in the men’s Denny Cup 90-41 – the games having to be split as Cleveland only have two indoor rinks situated under the main clubhouse dining and bar area.

Clarrie ladies made a fine start to their game and led 28-13 after five ends, 41-37 at 10, and 59-53 at 15. They opened up an 81-54 advantage after 18 ends and finally recorded an excellent 85-60 win.

Dunbar ladies won on three rinks and lost narrowly on the fourth.

Thelma Bailey led her rink to a 23-12 success at home over England player Laura Holden while Jeanette Wheeler’s quartet also recorded a home success of 22-18.

While away in Clevedon one rink won and the other lost.

Teresa King’s four came back from 12-5 down at 10 ends and 17-7 at 15 against England regular Stef Branfield to cut the gap to only 17-15 down at 18 ends but finally lost narrowly 18-16.

The third rink victory came away in Clevedon where Sue Bird’s quartet just missed out on top rink honours to Thelma Bailey by one shot when recording a fine 23-12 victory.

Clarrie Dunbar’s reward for beating Clevedon is a fourth round, last 32 local derby against North Wilts on Saturday, December 7 (10am) – same format as before two rinks at home and two away.

Dunbar men went on scoring spree in their delayed Denny Cup third round tie blitzing Clevedon as they romped to a comprehensive 90-41 victory – the white flag being raised after only 17 ends at both venues.

Skip Graham Shadwell racked up the shots at home as his rink won their game 29-8 while Russell Francis edged home by one shot 16-15.

Away in Clevedon both rinks piled up the shots with Andy Colebrooke’s foursome winning 24-6 and Keith Bailey’s quartet 21-12.

Clarrie men progress to round four, the last 32, and a meeting with Cotswold (Stroud) on Saturday, December 7. In the previous round Cotswold edged past Bristol 70-65.