WESTLECOT men can book a place in the Wessex League end-of-season play-offs on Sunday when they face Banbury Cross in their latest Thames Region group match.

After four straight wins in January, Westlecot are handily placed in the new seven-team Thames regional group that was introduced this season.

The Old Town club have only played four of their six group matches to date but lie in second spot, only 11 points behind leaders Oxford City & County and with a game in hand over them.

An overall shots win against Banbury and more than 11 of the 16 points on offer would guarantee at least runners-up spot in the Thames group table and an play-off place.

That is because Westlecot and Oxford C&C meet in their final Thames group game on February 24 – the last day of the regular season.

Currently, Oxford C&C head the Thames group table on 70 points from five games, while Westlecot have 59 from four matches, with West Berks IBC (Newbury) third on 55 points from five. Next best is Oxford & District on 26 points from five games.

In sharp contrast, the other Swindon indoor bowls club situated in Rodbourne Cheney have found life extremely tough in the new Thames region group this season.

They are currently propping up the table, with only six points acquired from three rink wins in their four games played to date.

They are desperately in need of a win to try and avoid the Thames regional wooden spoon.

Swindon Manor’s game last Sunday against Oxford & District which was postponed owing to the snow has been re-arranged for next February 17, while their final game of the season is against fellow strugglers Rivermead (Reading) on February 24.