BOWLS: Narrow defeat for Clarrie's mixed team

The mixed team were agonisingly edged out by Bristol by two shots on Saturday in their third round National Top Club tie.

But the following day the men’s side won a closely-contested local derby against Christie Miller 85-78 in the central section of the Wessex League.

Clarrie managed to draw the top club match away against Bristol 8-8 on points, winning both the mixed pairs and mixed fours (each worth four points) but losing the ladies and men’s two wood singles (two points each) and mixed triples (four points).

Shots scored was used to decide an overall winner and, just like in the previous round against North Wilts (nine shots), it was Bristol who edged through into the next round (last 16) by just two shots 88-86.

Bristol now face Desborough (Maidenhead) in the next round.

Twenty four hours later Clarrie’s men consolidated top spot in the Central Region of the Wessex League with a hard-fought 85-78 victory over local rivals Christie Miller.

Rink honours were shared at 2-2 with each team winning one game at home and one away.

At Melksham, both matches evened each other out, but the big winning margin of 19 shots by Russell Francis’ rink at Standerwick proved the difference, cancelling out the 12-shot loss suffered by Andrew Colebrooke’s four at the hands of Paul Macdonald.

Christie Miller made a good start and led 27-16 across the board after five ends but Clarrie Dunbar had roared back to lead 44-40 at ten and were never headed again. Clarrie moved 78-68 clear at 18 ends and finally won by seven shots.

At Dunbar, Francis’ rink only led 6-5 against Nigel Price after five ends. Then a big count of seven plus two twos put them 17-5 up at eight and they never looked back to win 29-10.

Alongside, it was a different story with Christie’s Macdonald 9-2 up at five ends and 26-12 at 15 before finally beating Colebrooke’s foursome 29-17.

Rink honours were also shared at Melksham as Keith Bailey led Brian Routledge 11-4 at ten ends and 19-9 at 15 before finally winning by eight shots.

But Bailey’s advantage for Clarrie was cancelled out by Andy Moore’s quartet who were always ahead against Steve Wiltshire.

They led 12-2 at five ends, 13-9 at ten and 23-13 at 18 before settling for an eight shots success.

Although Clarrie only won by seven shots they collected 12 points out of a possible 16. The win keeps them top of the group, with an eight-point advantage over Bristol, who have a game in hand, and 15 points ahead of North Wilts.

Christie Miller are fifth but with matches in hand.

Clarrie face Nailsea in their next Wessex League group match on February 10 while Christie Miller play Weston St Andrews.

NATIONAL TOP CLUB COMPETITION RESULTS

Two Wood Singles (21 ends) - Ladies: Kathy Walker lost to Rose Constant 11-19. Men: Andrew Colebrooke lost to Mike Humphries 13-16. Mixed Pairs: Thelma Deane & Duncan McGovern beat J Tibbs & Terry Barnes 22-12. Mixed Triples: Sadie Farrell, Craig Doughty & Steve Wiltshire lost to Paul Birmingham, Sue Osborne & Barry Barry 17-19. Mixed Fours: Anne Jones, Kim Smith, Dick Discombe & Russell Francis beat P Baxter, S Humphries, John Hursted & Geoff Coffield 23-22.

Score: Clarrie Dunbar drew 8pts all with Bristol but lost 86-88 on shots.

WESSEX LEAGUE RESULTS

(Clarrie names first)

At Clarrie Dunbar, Rink 3: Dick Discombe, Trevor Bachelor, Terry Perkins & Russell Francis beat Chris Easton, Sid Jay, Graham Archard & Nigel Price 29-10. Rink 2: Alex Shadwell, Glyn Jones, Dale Taylor & Andrew Colebrooke lost to John Bailey, Malc Hole, Dave Godwin & Paul Macdonald 17-29.

At Christie Miller, Rink 4: Andy Taylor, Mike Sawyers, Craig Doughty & Steve Wiltshire lost to Keith Hicketts,Steve Gedge, Dale Hayward & Andy Moore 16-24. Rink 3: John Freeman, Brian Hawkins, Alan Totterdell & Keith Bailey beat David Laws, Paul Barnes, Bob Pratt & Brian Routledge 23-15.

Score: Clarrie Dunbar beat Christie Miller 85-78 and by 12pts-4.

PICTURES FROM THE WESSEX LEAGUE MATCH, PLUS MORE BOWLS NEWS & PICTURES IN FRIDAY'S WILTSHIRE TIMES