CLARRIE Dunbar enjoyed a big win in their opening match of the 2014/15 season in the Central Region of the Wessex League but Christie Miller just missed out, losing by a single shot overall.

Winners of the Wessex play-offs in 2009 and 2013 but beaten semi-finalists last season Clarrie were always in command of their first central section match this campaign against Paulton-based Purnell.

Across the board they led by 22 shots steaming into a 55-23 lead after ten ends. They then powered away to move 107-37 up after 18 ends and finally took the accolades by 70 shots as they triumphed 117-47 and took a maximum 16 points as they won on all four rinks.

Russell Francis’ rink produced the biggest winning margin of 28 shots.

In the past few seasons Christie Miller have suffered some big overall losses against Bristol but last Sunday pushed them all the way and were unfortunately to lose by one shot on the last end.

The match was pretty close throughout as Miller trailed 21-15 at five ends across the board but tied at 34-34 after ten. Bristol moved 54-48 up at 15 but back came Christie to nudge 61-60 in front at 18 ends, And at 20 ends they had increased their lead to 71-67 but then suffered the last end blues to drop six shots and only score one to lose 73-72.

Wayne Snook, who has moved to Christie Miller from North Wilts Indoor Club, was surprisingly Christie Millers only winning skip out of four despite only one shot separating the teams overall.

Paul Macdonald who fought back from 13-4 down at ten ends was the only skip to win on the last end but still unluckily lost 20-19.

Both Clarrie and Christie are back in action again on Sunday, November 23 when Dunbar face Bristol while Miller meet Nailsea. North Wilts compete in their first game on that day when they play Purnell.

RESULTS

Clarrie Dunbar v Purnell

Home - Rink 1: Peter Hooley, Alan Brown, Craig Doughty & Russell Francis beat H Lorimer 35-7. Rink 2: Mick Maslen, Alan Colebrooke, John Freeman & Andy Colebrooke beat R Gay 28-10.

Away - Rink 1: Dick Discombe, John Smith, Dale Taylor & Terry Perkins beat J Matthews 27-17. Rink 2: Ian Perkins, Brian Hawkins, Fred Pope & Graham Shadwell beat J Bradley 27-13.

Score: Clarrie Dunbar 117 (16pts) Purnell 47 (0pts).

Christie Miller v Bristol

Home - Rink 3: C Summers, Steve Gedge, Paul Barnes & Wayne Snook beat Paul Bryant 22-17. Rink 4: Tom Newman, Dave Laws, Bob Pratt & Brian Routledge lost to Barry Barry 15-19.

Away - Rink 3: Chris Easton, Mike Savin, Nigel Price & Paul Macdonald lost to Eric Seaville 19-20. Rink 4: John Bailey, Adrian Bolwell, Steve Remington & Andy Moore lost to A Forster 16-17.

Score: Christie Miller 72 (2pts) Bristol 73 (14pts).