NORTH Wilts’ hopes of seeing a member qualfying for the ladies' champion of champions competition final stages are over.

Alex Jacobs lost narrowly in the Area 16 final to Gill Fry (MidGlos) on a neutral green at Swindon Westlecot.

It was a disappointing result for Jacobs, who held the advantage for more than half of the game.

The score was tied 4-4 at five ends but Jacobs had moved 12-5 up at 10 and led 14-12 at 15 ends.

Fry went in front for the first time with a count of three on end 17 to lead 16-14 and she then moved 20-15 ahead after 20 ends.

Jacobs fought back to close to 20-19 down after 23 ends, but Fry held on to seal a 21-19 win.

  • NORTH Wilts still have an interest in one national team competition going into the Christmas period.

That is in the Mason Trophy – ladies O60s double rinks competition – where they have reached the third round.

The Chippenham-based side will face Nailsea A on January 18 following a 36-30 second-round victory over Purnell (Paulton).

North Wilts made a flying start and led overall 15-5 after five ends and comfortably 30-6 at 10.

However, Purnell fought back to cut the gap to 36-17 after 15 ends.

Purnell then finished with a flourish, scoring 13 unanswered shots, but it was still not enough to topple North Wilts.

North Wilts took the honours on the away rink in Purnell, with the foursome of Margaret Cooke, Bev Lilley, Jean Collier and Sue Cooke (skip) winning 20-14.

While the home quartet at Westcroft of Ann Roberts-Phare, Jane Taylor, Irene Button and Alex Jacob (skip) drew 16-16.

  • THE inter-county side to represent Wiltshire in the ladies' Atherley Trophy second-round tie against Dorset this weekend is dominated by players from North Wilts.

The Chippenham-based club supply 15 of the 24-strong side. The rest of the team comprises of five players from Salisbury’s Five Rivers and four from Swindon Westlecot.

North Wilts ladies chosen are Jan Tombs, Sue Pitman, Jean Collier, Barbara Shepheard, Marguerite Alexander, Sheila Garlick, Irene Button, Rosemary Fitzpatrick, Jane Taylor, Ann Roberts-Phare, Lyn Brown, Fizz Mace, Marie Greenwood, June Coyle and Bev Lilley.

This season, Wiltshire were awarded a first-round bye and if successful in round two would face a quarter-final Atherley Trophy tie away against either Somerset or Devon.