WESTLECOT men have qualified for the end of season Wessex League play-offs.

They clinched their place in the last 16 and first round of the showdown for the overall title with a comfortable 92-72 victory over Oxford City and County in their final East Region group match.

This 20-shot success earned Westlecot 14 points and runners-up spot in the east section behind Carterton.

Westlecot had needed a minimum of 10 points to stave-off the challenge of West Berks, take second spot in the east section and guarantee a play-off place.

This they did with ease taking the honours on three of the four rinks for six points and adding a further eight for the overall win.

It took Westlecot's final total to 68 points, five ahead of West Berks who took a maximum 16 points off basement team Fairford, but 14 points adrift of east region champions Carterton.

Westlecot certainly made home advantage pay against Oxford City and County winning convincingly on the two rinks skipped by Neil Smith and Martin Hope.

And there was a winning return to competitive bowls for Mel Biggs. The 51-year-old ex-England international had taken a break from competitive county and club league matches over the past 18 months but returned for the last group game in Smith's rink.

Smith's quartet led Brian Slatter 7-4 at five ends and 12-7 at 10 before powering away to go 31-7 up at 16 ends. But surprisingly they did not score again and finally won their match 31-19.

Hope's rink only led 6-4 at five ends, 9-6 at 10 and 12-8 at 15. But then they pulled clear to increase their advantage to 20-8 at 18 ends and finally claim a 14 shots success.

Away in Oxford the Westlecot rinks enjoyed mixed fortunes.

Dave Snell's quartet were only tied 8-8 at 10 ends but then surged 17-8 ahead at 15 ends. However, they were then pegged back somewhat to finally win by five shots.

Alongside Chris Cheesley's rink struggled in the latter stages of their match. They were only 13-9 down at 10 ends but by 15 trailed 20-11 and were 25-13 adrift at 18 before going down by 11 shots.

Westlecot now move forward to the Wessex League play-offs that commence on the last Sunday in February.

They have every incentive to shine in them and reach the final at least as the club have been given the honour of staging the grand final on Sunday April 20 - the first time they have been afforded the honour in the 25 year history of the Wessex competition.

Westlecot have a tough first round draw as they have been paired with Cotswold, winners of the North Region, on Sunday February 24. Cotswold won all seven of their group matches.

RESULTS Home Rink 1: Kyle Anderson, Dan Hoskin, Mel Biggs and Neil Smith beat Brian Slatter 31-19.

Rink 2: Kevin Embling, Dan Bluett, Dave Matthews and Martin Hope beat Gary May 24-10.

Away Rink 1: Barry Sictorness, Tom Walkley, John Williamson and Dave Snell beat Dave Allen 21-16.

Rink 2: Dave Eatwell, Jeff Nichols, David Vowles and Chris Cheesley lost to Steve Jones 16-27.

Overall score: Westlecot beat Oxford City and County 92-72 and by 14pts-2.

OTHER RESULTS Fairford 56 (0) West Berks 114 (16).