Wessex Last 16 v Malvern

After an impressive league campaign in the regional stage of the Wessex Trophy, Rugby Thornfield finished top of the Midland Region, winning all but one of their games. Their opponents for the first round of the play-off were Malvern who qualified as a wild card from the North Region.

​The home rinks were Dave Furness, Brian Smith, Dave Sands and Howard Wilkins; Oliver Fowler, Graham Howes, Chris Chapman and Liam Pearcey. The travelling rinks consisted of Trevor Wells, Matt Lever, Jordan Ward and Darren Ward; Keith Mason, Nigel Carter, Calvin Wells and Craig Carter.

The home rinks had mixed fortunes in the first half of the tie. Pearcey leading 10-3 but Wilkins 7-13 down. Away from home was better, Carter 11-4 up and Ward all square on 8 all. With fifteen ends gone Wilkins and co trailed by 5 but Pearcey's rink had had their lead cut to one. Both away rinks led, Ward by 6 and Carter 10.

Heading into the final three ends the home rinks were cancelling each other out, a status that remained until the end, Pearcey and co 21-16 win matched by Wilkins rink losing 15-20. Which meant this tie would decided by the rinks playing at Malvern. With Ward leading by 5 and Carter 11 after eighteen ends it was looking good for Thornfield. An even finish saw Ward's rink take a 20-16 victory, while Carter and co sealed a 22-11 win. This gave Thornfield an overall 78-63 victory and passage through to the quarter finals and a clash with Plymouth at the neutral venue of Bristol.