WILTSHIRE Bowls Association began their centenary celebrations with the first of a series of special matches against the Barbarians Bowls Association.

Under the stewardship of 2014 men’s president Dave Richards (Trowbridge Westbourne), they beat the Welsh side comfortably by 29 shots, winning 141-112 last Thursday at Wootton Bassett.

Wiltshire won on five of the six rinks, the one that they lost on was skipped for the visitors by a former Barbarians president Calne’s George Henderson who led his foursome to a comprehensive 37-11 win.

The county continued their centenary celebrations with the second of a series of special matches against The Friends of English Bowling on Tuesday at North Wilts (Chippenham).

However, on this occasion Richards had to give second best to Friends captain Geoff Hunt and his team drawn from 10 different counties by 26 shots as Wiltshire went down 135-109.

Wiltshire won on three of the six rinks but suffered two heavy rink losses which were decisive in the final analysis.

Also in attendance at the special match, but not playing, was Bowls England president Adie Lloyd, a member of North Wilts and the Friends of English Bowling fixture secretary.

Wiltshire’s next game to mark the county’s centenary is against Dennyside Bowls Association at Swindon Bowls Club on Monday, June 16.

Elsewhere, Swindon & District Men’s representative side won their second friendly match of the season.

The team led by 2014 president Peter Stewart (Westlecot) won the annual match featuring the president’s team and his club.

S&D won the game by 20 shots running-out 121-101 victors.

They led Westlecot across the board 35-18 at five ends, 62-46 at 10, 92-64 at 15, and 107-79 at 18 before being pulled back to only a 20 shots success 121-101 at the conclusion.

RESULTS Wiltshire v Barbarians Rink 1: Maurice Byron beat Rob Williams 20-18. Rink 2: Dave Snell beat Gareth Humphreys MBE 30-13. Rink 3: Alan Small beat Howard Pryse 31-16. Rink 4: John Smith beat Hedley Bowen 19-18. Rink 5: Vic Hilton lost to George Henderson 11-37. Rink 6: Colin Easton beat Alun Hodges 30-10.

Score: Wiltshire beat Barbarians BA 141-112.

Wiltshire v FOEB Rink 1: Graham Annetts lost to Roger Button (Wilts) 17-21. Rink 2: George Henderson beat David Tucker (Devon) 26-17. Rink 3: Martin Salter lost to Ian Whelpton (Oxon) 16-32. Rink 4: Dave Richards lost to Geoff Hunt (Northants) 10-29. Rink 5: Bob Fredericks beat Howard Pryse (Wilts) 19-17. Rink 6: Vic Hilton beat Kay Kerley (Hants) 21-19.

Score: Wiltshire lost to Friends of English Bowling 109-135.

Swindon & District v Westlecot Rink 1: Susan Griffiths (Supermarine), Les Cox (Swindon), Peter Stewart (pres. Westlecot) & Paul Boyles (Purton) won 19-12. Rink 2: Kathy Taylor (Marine), Jock Kinnaird (W’lecot), Bill Jordan & Rob Millin (both Marine) drew 19-19. Rink 3: Carol Sandry (Marine), Mike Ballard, Paul Turner Jnr & Shane Isted (all Penhill) won 18-15. Rink 4: Trevor and Ann Andrews, Barry Sandry & Bev Millin (all Marine) won 29-15.

Rink 5: Pat Sinclair, Jim Crook (both C Ground), Bob Iles (Marine) & Paul Turner Snr (Penhill) 21-18. Rink 6: Dianna Richardson (W’lecot), Peter Richardson, Chris Payne & Dave Williams (all Garrards) lost 15-22.

Score: S&D beat Westlecot 121-101.