BOWLS: Second place up for grabs as county men draw line under cup campaign

9:10am Thursday 2nd July 2009

By Dale Heenan

PRIDE only is at stake when Wiltshire men face Gloucestershire in the Middelton Cup on Saturday at Chippenham Town (2pm).

Their hopes of success in this year’s inter-county championship, are over following a 66-shot hammering by Devon in their last match.

However, the Moonraker county can still finish second in section two of the West Group behind Devon, the reigning inter-county champions.

Currently third behind Worcestershire, a win over Gloucestershire would leapfrog their rivals, who visit Devon.

The county selectors have made several changes, with the likes of Wootton Bassett’s Chris Cheesley and Steve Snell back in contention.

Team manager Hedley Bowen said: “Because we are no longer able to win our section we’ve taken the opportunity to give those who've been on 'the bench' a chance and also try out some combinations in preparation for next year.”

Rink 1: Wayne Simmonds (Holt), Chris Cheesley (Wootton Bassett), Ben Gadd (Holt) and Neil Smith (WB).

Rink 2: Michael Richards, Jamie Titcombe, Mel Biggs and Mark Dyer (all Westlecot).

Rink 3: Nick Revell (Alderbury), Mike Snell (WB), Ian Jefferies and Mike Jackson (both W’lecot).

Rink 4: Wayne Snook (Holt), Barry Sictorness, Dave Snell (both WB) and Russell Francis (Spencer Moulton).

Rink 5: Tony Keating (SM), Keith Hutchens (Chippenham Park), Neil Connor (Chip Town) and Graham Shadwell (SM).

Rink 6: Tom Walkley, John Williamson, Ian Williams and Steve Snell (all WB).

Latest results: Devon 139 (20pts) Wiltshire 73 (2pts); Worcestershire 134 (16) Herefordshire 128 (6).

They recorded another two victories with wins over Hampshire BA at Kingsclere and City and County of Bristol BA at Wootton Bassett in their latest matches.

Rink 1: J Ford drew with D Moors 20-20; Rink 2: K Evill beat J Cooke 21-11; Rink 3: A Lloyd beat W Draper 20-15; Rink 4: D Andrews beat P Anthony 19-17; Rink 5: B Pike lost to T Brown 11-21. Rink 6: L Cousins lost to M Wilde 16-20.

Rink 1: R Laws lost to D Verton 11-21; Rink 2: J Wilks beat J Dixon 31-10; Rink 3: A Lloyd beat C Hopegood 24-10; Rink 4: K Evill beat K Harrison 26-14; Rink 5: S Gedge lost to J Hudson 19-23; Rink 6: P Naish drew with B Smith 17-17.