WESTLECOT men boosted their hopes of reaching the 2013/14 Wessex League play-offs with a big 40-shot win in their penultimate east region group match last Sunday.

They won on all four rinks against Oxford & District to collect a maximum 16 points in a comprehensive 98-58 victory.

The result lifted Westlecot into second spot on shots difference in the East Region table and into one of the two automatic play-off places with just one round of group matches to be played next weekend on Sunday, February 23.

This season the Westlecot away fours have struggled but on this occasion they turned-up trumps winning on both rinks at Oxford & District (Littlemore).

James Nobbs four led 6-4 at five ends, had leapt into a 15-5 advantage at ten and just remained solid for a 27-13 win.

Alongside Chris Cheesley’s rink trailed 8-1 at five ends but had roared back to lead 12-9 at ten and pulled away gradually to an 11-shot success to ensure Westlecot of a maximum four away points for only the second time this season.

At home it was business as usual with Ian Jefferies and Dave Godwin’s rinks both winning again.

Jefferies’ quartet were tied 9-9 at ten but then raced 20-12 clear at 15 and eventually won by 13 shots.

Meanwhile Godwin’s rink saw leads of 11-6 at ten ends and 15-9 at 15 disappear to be hauled back to 15-15 at 20. They halted their scoreless run with a two on the last to grab a win.

Westlecot’s win over Oxford & District and 16 maximum points means the east region race for play-off places will go right down to the wire next Sunday, February 23.

The Old Town club will face fellow play-off hopefuls Carterton in a crucial game that will decide both clubs fate.

To date four clubs, Loddon Vale (97 pts), Westlecot (81pts), West Berks (81pts) and Carterton (80pts), in the nine-team east section all have a good chance of finishing in the top two.

Thus gaining an automatic play-off spot or grabbing one of the four wild card entries on offer to the best four non-qualifiers.

Loddon Vale (Basingstoke) have completed their eight matches but the other three teams have one match remaining and only one point separates them.

RESULTS

Home - Rink 1: John Anderson, Tom Pittuck, Kyle Anderson & Dave Godwin beat Stan Ponting 17-15. Rink 2: Keith Williamson, Mike Bowden, Kevin Embling & Ian Jefferies beat Eric Hollinrake 28-15.

Away - Rink 5: Mike Titcombe Jnr, Geoff Smith, Steve Remington & Chris Cheesley beat John Beardsley 26-15. Rink 3: Josh Cottle, Lawrence Smith, Mike Shawyer & James Nobbs beat Roy Pyniger 27-13.

Score: Westlecot beat Oxford & D 98-58 and by 16pts-0.

EAST REGION SCORES

Banbury 45 (1pt) West Berks 101 (15pts); Carterton 109 (14) Oxford City & County 64 (2); Chipping Norton 55 (2) Loddon Vale 106 (14); Oxford & District 58 (0) Westlecot 98 (16).

REMAINING FIXTURES

Sunday, February 23: Banbury v Rivermead (Reading); Oxford & District v West Berks (Newbury); Carterton v Westlecot; Chipping Norton v Oxford City & County.