THE COUNTY UNDER 25 men’s side, packed with local players, made an excellent start to the season by winning their opening match against Somerset at Paulton.

They took the honours on all four rinks in this friendly, which was played over 18 ends owing to the weather, but still ran-out comprehensive 74-48 victors.

Craig Hatherall’s rink recorded the biggest winning margin of 11 shots in the 26-shots team success.

Gary Jackson’s four eased home by seven shots and Paul Stokes’ rink by five shots, while the foursome skipped by Craig Morphet came back well in the latter stages of their match to claim a victory.

They were 13-10 down after 15 ends but won the last three with scores of two, one, three to record a 16-13 success and complete a Wiltshire Under 25 men’s whitewash of Somerset.

RESULTS Rink 3: Adam Bolwell (Holt), Luke Jowett (Cricklade), Matt Daniell (W Bassett) & Craig Hatherall (W’lecot) beat Dale Taylor 22-11. Rink 4: Jake Webster (W’lecot), Sean Etherington, James Richman (both High) & Gary Jackson (W’lecot) beat Sam Steel 20-13. Rink 5: John Hermon (Garrards), Sheldon Warren (W’lecot), David Murray (R Cheney) & Craig Morphet (High) beat Grant Aldridge 16-13. Rink 6: Tom Newman (Trow West), Ben Choules (High), Mike Titcombe & Paul Stokes (W’lecot) beat Reece White 16-11.Scores: Wiltshire beat Somerset 74-48.

  • NEXT WEEK, Wiltshire Under 25 men continue their build-up to their top event of the season, the National U25 Double Rinks competition for the White Rose Trophy.

Their first White Rose match is not until the end of this month, against Worcestershire, however, in preparation for it they will be competing in a special three-rink Bank Holiday Monday Four Counties U25 Tournament at Keynsham (2pm).

Team manager Adam Tanner has a full squad available and appears to have chosen his strongest team for the tournament against Gloucestershire, Worcestershire and hosts Somerset.

TEAM Rink 1: A Bolwell, C Morphet, M Daniell & Mike Richards (W’lecot). Rink 2: C Hatherall, B Choules, Kyle Anderson (W Bassett) & Nick Revell (Amesbury). Rink 3: M Titcombe, L Jowett, J Richman & G Jackson.