WILTSHIRE men produced a stunning second-half fightback in their first round Liberty Trophy tie last Saturday at Swindon Westlecot to beat Gloucestershire 123-117 and progress in the inter-county championship.

The match had been switched from North Wilts to Westlecot as the game clashed with a ladies Yetton Trophy, national inter-club championship, third round tie.

Wiltshire had struggled and appeared to be going out of the inter-county championship competition as they trailed 63-49 across the board at ten ends and 92-79 at 15 with only two rinks out of six holding a lead.

But then on the final six ends and run in to the finishing line they produced a stirring comeback to cut the deficit at 18 ends to only 106-99 and in the last three ends across the board powered ahead to a hard fought 123-117 win.

Ian Jefferies rink recorded the biggest win with a 34-9 victory while Andy Moore led his foursome to a 20-9 success and skip Wayne Snook managed to draw his game 17-17.

Wiltshire county indoor secretary Dave Williams from the North Wilts club and a reserve for the Gloucestershire match said: “A very close game for the Liberty as they (Wiltshire) came back from 28 shots down to win by six in a final score of 123-117.

“Wayne Snook was the last rink off holding them to need an eight on the final end to force the extra end but they only managed a two.

“Mel Biggs rink were a few ends ahead of the others and when they picked up a six it seemed to boost the home team in making the final challenge and turn the score around.

“The green (at Westlecot) bowled well considering it's not used for six rinks any longer. It was a bit tight going on the ditch hands on rinks one and six as it used to be.

“It will be used again in the next round on January 16 as there is another Yetton match at North Wilts on that date again.”

RESULTS (skips only) Rink 1: Neil Smith lost to Nathan Kitchen 22-26. Rink 2: Steve Remington lost to Martin Wilks 18-24. Rink 3: Wayne Snook drew with Steve Knight 17-17. Rink 4: Andy Moore beat Dave Howes 20-9. Rink 5: Ian Jefferies beat Nigel Cansdale 34-9. Rink 6: Mel Biggs lost to Mike Prosser 12-32.

Score: Wiltshire men beat Gloucestershire 123-117.

ALEX JACOBS’ bid to become the first player in the area to book a place in a national final this season is still on track.

After 21-15 and 21-12 victories over Pauline Dando (Purnell, Paulton) and Bev Lilley (Christie Miller, Melksham) respectively in the quarter and semi-finals of the champion of champions competition she followed it up in perfect style with victory in the Area 30 final last Sunday.

North Wilts star player Jacobs defeated Ros Constant 21-10 in the final on her own green at Ashton Vale, Bristol in a game lasting 24 ends.

Jacobs led 9-5 at ten ends and 19-9 at 21 and claimed a 21-10 success three ends later with a pair of singles.

She now moves forward to the inter-area final at Clarrie Dunbar on Saturday, December 5, where she faces Maureen Hordle from Isle of Wedmore IBC who won the Area 29 final when beating Jackie Ware (St Andrews, WSM) 21-10 also.

The inter-area final is a last 32 match in the national competition and just one step away from a place in the national finals and last 16 at Warner Leisure, Hayling Island, at the end of January next year.