WILTSHIRE'S short mat bowlers produced a narrow but sensational win over a strong Shropshire team in the preliminary Round of the Inter-Counties Consolation Knockout competition last weekend.

This was arguably Wiltshire’s best win at Premier level.

Having drawn the match on points, the Moonrakers won on shot difference by 174 to 164.

Leading the way again was Graham Cox (Blue Circle) who won both his singles games including one against a current England squad member.

Neville Doel (Crudwell) and Don Mannion (Kington Langley) were as consistent as ever to win both of their matches comfortably.

Dane Rose (Blue Circle) won one singles match (also against the England player).

Geoff Lane and Les Baldry (both Crudwell) played a narrow defeat and a significant victory.

The singles and pairs both won bonus points for aggregate shots victories.

Gill Willis, playing with husband Chris, and Julian Rose (Blue Circle) won their first triples game. Having suffered a heartbreaking last-end defeat in their first game, the rink of Sandra Doel (Crudwell), Peter Curtis (Atwell), Terry Shore (Trowbridge) and John Stevens (Heywood) won their final game to seal the victory for the Moonrakers.

RESULTS

Singles: Dane Rose 11-15, 15-7, Graham Cox 15-12, 13-9.

Pairs: Geoff Lane/Les Baldry 11-15, 25-7, Don Mannion/Neville Doel 13-8, 19-5.

Triples:Ann Hart/Pete Sullivan/Colin Waldeck 6-8, 8-17; Gill Willis/Chris Willis/Julian Rose 11-6, 8-15.

Fours: Maureen Jelly/Anita Ridley/David Polglase/Trevor Dolman 3-12, 4-17; Sandra Doel/Peter Curtis/Terry Shore/John Stevens 6-7, 6-4.

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