CHRISTIE Miller recorded their first win of the season in the central section of the Wessex League last Sunday morning, writes DAVE EATON.

They won the local derby against North Wilts by 11 shots as they ran out 82-71 victors.

Christie took the honours on two of the four rinks, drew on another and in the one they lost only suffered a one shot reverse. This gave them a haul of 13 points out of a possible 16.

Both matches at home in Melksham were very close affairs with Brian Routledge’s rink having to come from behind before winning by three shots. While Andy Moore’s quartet dropped a two on the 21st and last end decider to lose by one shot.

Routledge’s rink trailed 11-4 after ten ends at home to Justin Davis but had cut the gap to only 12-10 at 15.

They edged in front for the first time on the 16th end and led 14-13 at 18 and finally won by three shots.

Andy Moore alongside was always just behind for most of his game trailing 4-3 and 9-8 at five and ten ends respectively.

He then dropped a five to go 14-8 down but clawed his way back to 14-13 down at 15 ends and 17-17 all at 18.

He scored a two on the 20th end to lead for only the second time in the match 19-18 but then saw hopes of victory go as he dropped a crucial two on the last end.

Away in Chippenham, the Christie Miller rink skipped by Keith Fletcher were always in control from early on and led 14-4 at ten ends and had moved 20-6 clear at 15 before finally winning 25-16.

The other match looked to be going in North Wilts favour as Paul Macdonald’s four trailed 13-5 at ten ends and 14-9 at 13 against Wayne Snook’s quartet. However, a big count of seven on the ’14th end changed the match completely.

Macdonald just led 18-17 at 18 ends and moved 20-17 clear at 19. But they were unable to hang on for a win as Snook forced a draw.

This weekend Christie Miller complete the two away rinks against Bristol while their next full Wessex League game is against Clarrie Dunbar on January 20 (10am).

RESULTS

HOME

Rink 3: Keith Hicketts, Dale Hayward, Dave Laws and Andy Moore lost to Derek Clarke, Bob Hayes, Geoff Smith and Matt Clark 19-20. Rink 4: Tom Newman, Paul Barnes, Bob Pratt and Brian Routledge beat Clive Swift, Keiron Holmes, Trevor Cook and Justin Davis 18-15.

AWAY

Rink 1: Chris Easton, Adrian Bolwell, Graham Archard and Nigel Price beat Dave Edmunds, Andy Blake, Jan Rodgers and Keith Fletcher 25-16. Rink 2: J Bailey, Mike Savin, Dave Godwin and Paul Macdonald drew with Richard Jennings, Dave Williams, Mal Curtis and Wayne Snook 20-20.

Score: Christie Miller beat North Wilts 82-71 and by 13pts to 3.

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