WESTLECOT’S indoor mixed team produced a magnificent performance last Sunday away in Poole in the Top Club national team competition to march into the competition’s last eight.

The Old Town club brushed aside Dolphin IBC 12 -4 on points to book a quarter-final spot at home against Exonia (Exeter) on Sunday, February 3.

Westlecot were victorious against Dolphin in the mixed pairs, mixed triples and mixed fours with their only losses coming narrowly by one and three shots in the men’s and ladies two wood singles respectively.

The club’s last hopes of winning a 2018/19 national team competition title now rest firmly on the shoulders of the mixed Top Club side as the indoor club have been eliminated in all other team events.

After excellent victories over Bristol away Clarrie Dunbar, the losing national finalists in April 2017, Westlecot whitewashed Clevedon at home 16-0 just before Christmas.

The same team that won these three games then produced another high class performance at Dolphin (Poole) last Sunday in the last 16 match in the Top Club to keep hopes of winning a national team title for nearly 20 years alive.

Only twice in a 10-year period have Westlecot managed to negotiate the preliminary or opening round.

However, this season they have bounced back and restored their competitive edge to reach the quarter-finals of the national competition.

At Poole, Lucy Smith and Mike Titcombe were pipped at the post in their two wood singles games.

The mixed fours discipline saw the Hatherall’s Debbie, Graham and Craig (skip) plus Rachel McIntyre come from 9-5 down at eight ends to move 21-9 up at 15 ends and win 21-14.

Jayne Croston, Andy McIntyre and Neil Smith then won their mixed triples match.

The contest was tight early on. However, Smith and co - boosted by two fives - went 21-11 up at 15 ends .

They went on to finally win their match 23-13.

The final game mixed pairs with Katy Smith and Phil Gregory saw the Westlecot pairing ahead throughout but get tense in the latter stages.

They led 6-3 after five ends, 10-6 at 10 and 14-9 after 15 but only 14-12 after 17. But they collected a two on the 18th and last end to win 16-12.