WILTSHIRE men made the perfect start to a new outdoor bowling season with victory in their opening match of the 2015 campaign.

The junior side, despite a couple of late changes, recorded a 40-shot win over Somerset in an U25 friendly match at Chippenham Town last Sunday running out 99-59 victors.

They took the honours on all four rink contested with Nick Revell’s impressive foursome producing the biggest winning margin of 20 shots.

Wiltshire were always in full control of this opening match of the season leading from pillar to post.

They were 23-13 up across the board after five ends and moved 47-25 up at the halfway point. The advantage was extended to 38 shots after 15 ends as they led 74-36 and finally won 99-59.

It was an excellent workout in preparation for the junior Wiltshire men’s opening group match in the men’s 2015 National County Under 25s Two Fours competition against Dorset at Blandford on Sunday, May 26 (noon) for the White Rose Trophy, a competition in which they have twice reached the national semi-finals in recent years.

RESULTS

Rink 3: James Richman (Highworth), Jamie Shadwell (Spencer Moulton), Ashley Plumb (Amesbury) & Mike Titcombe (Westlecot) beat S Steel 31-21. Rink 4: Jake Webster (West), Sheldon Warren (High), David Leighfield (Alderbury) & Kyle Anderson (Wootton Bassett) beat R White 22-15. Rink 5: David Murray (Rodbourne Cheney), Ben Choules (High), Matt Daniell (WB) & Nick Revell (Ames) beat R Williams 27-7.

Rink 6: John Herman (Garrards), Nathan Richards, Craig Morphet (both West) & Tom Warner (Ames) beat G Aldridge 19-16.

Score: Wiltshire U25s beat Somerset U25s 99-59.

THE NEW outdoor season may only be a couple of weeks old but the ladies national county competitions move into full swing next week.

The preliminary round in the ladies fours championship in the southern half of the county has to be completed by Friday, May 8 and the first round three days later (May 11) for both the north and south sections.

CHIPPENHAM Town Bowls Club are one of the oldest clubs in Wiltshire and celebrated their centenary three years ago.

They are also one of the most successful clubs in county competitions over the years and boast one of the top greens in Wiltshire.

Like all clubs at this time of the year they are seeking to increase their membership and will be holding an Open Day on Saturday, May 9 from 10am-4pm.

Anyone whether they have bowled before or not is welcome to come along on the day and give the sport of bowls a try.

Coaching and help will be readily available from the fully qualified coaching team.

The club will supply all equipment, all visitors need to bring along is a pair of flat soled shoes.

A warm welcome will be offered at the Chippenham Town club which is part of the Chippenham Sports Club with their green situated behind the football club off Bristol Road. Clear signage will be available on the day and there will be adequate parking adjacent to the bowls green.

The club will be offering four free ‘taster’ sessions with coaching for any new bowlers.

If you would like to try bowls but cannot make it to the Open Day, please contact Bob Chalmers on 01249 444333.