WILTSHIRE men bounced back from their away defeat to Somerset to beat Middlesex at North Wilts (Chippenham) in their latest county friendly match.

Led by county indoor president Keith Baker (Westlecot) they won by 11 shots last Saturday, as they ran-out 120-109 victors in the home match and took the honours on four of the six rinks.

Top honours went to the rink skipped by Alan Small (North Wilts) who recorded the biggest winning margin of nine shots.

There were also victories for Westlecot skip Ron Salsbury (five shots) and North Wilts skips Maurice Byron (four shots) and Bob Roberts-Phare (two shots).

The battle of the presidents was won by Keith Baker, who came out on top on rink four over Middlesex president Tony Paulley in a close game by two shots.

It was very pleasing outcome for the Wiltshire president, who had suffered a big rink loss against Somerset a week earlier.

“The team showed their metal coming back from an early deficit to draw ahead and stayed there up to the end,” said Baker. “This makes it the fourth win of the season, something we haven’t achieved for many years, all down to some very fine play by the Wiltshire men.

“In some instances stout defensive work on those Wiltshire rinks where we were unsuccessful was as important as those rinks which won.”

RESULTS

Rink 1: Jim Cremin (Westlecot), Frank Etherington (Swindon Manor), Jim Wilkie (North Wilts) & Ron Salsbury (West) beat Stephen Gibson 23-18.

Rink 2: Derek Smith (SM), Martin Clark (NW), Steve Gedge (Christie Miller) & Maurice Byron (NW) beat Richard Kirk 22-18.

Rink 3: Don French (NW), Gerry Vincent (West), Clive Swift & Roger Button (both NW) lost to Eric Prior 15-20.

Rink 4: John White (West), Peter Naish (NW), Keith Baker (West) & Bob Roberts-Phare (NW) beat Dave Pitt 19-17.

Rink 5: John Duncan (CM), Roger Harris, Peter Sanders & Dave Williams (all NW) lost to Andy Docker 19-23.

Rink 6: Mick Walker (West), Tony Watchman, Alan Greenland & Alan Small (all NW) beat Andy Knott 22-13.

Score: Wiltshire beat Middlesex 120-109.