St Andrews men open Wessex League season in style with Bristol win

They took 14 of the 16 points available, despite having been without at least six of their top players.

Their stand-ins did Saints proud, especially on the two away rinks, who both won. Kevin Cottrell’s team, including two of the reserves, were 10-3 down early on but kept going well to win by nine.

The four, skipped by Richard Withers, opened up a big lead, were pegged back then finished strongly, with Richard Whittaker in top form.

At home, the quartet skipped by Phil Villis were always dominant, winning by 14. Steve Davies made his Wessex debut on that rink.

St Andrews A are in the third round of the national over-60 double rink competition following a comfortable victory over their B side. Both A-team rinks won and they play Clarrie Dunbar in the next round.

Saints’ comeback king Richard Withers was 1-11 and 9-16 down against his clubmate Reece White in the national singles but ground it out to win 21-18.

National over-60 Double-Rink second round: St Andrews B 22, St Andrews A 47. B team names first – G Sims, R Whittaker, R Saddler, J Wright 11, D Johnston, G Wride, D Bailey, B Reeves 26; D James, S Jackson, R Cox, M Ford 11, A Biss, S Davies, B Forse, P Villis 21.

Wessex League: St Andrews 90 (14pts), Bristol 65 (2pts). Home – A Biss, S Davies, B Forse, P Villis 25-11; T Wyatt, D Fairhurst, B Reeves, D Johnston 15-21. Away – G Millard, R Whittaker, R White, R Withers 23-15; J Keay, D Bailey, M Reeve, K Cottrell 27-18.

National competitions: Men’s Singles third round – R Withers (St Andrews) 21, R White (St Andrews) 17. Men’s Two-Wood Singles second round – B Forse (St Andrews) 21, G Hancox (Clevedon) 18. Mixed Fours first round – C Walker, Jean Whittaker, J Angove, Rebecca McMillan (St Andrews) 11, Judy Forse, Sue Sinclair, B Forse, L Stocker (St Andrews) 21.

Mixed friendly: Isle of Wedmore 35, St Andrews 30. Jenny Webb, Sue Sinclair, A Cooper, R Whittaker 22-16; R Grimes, Jude Alder, A Dawes, Jean Whittaker 8-19.