ILMINSTER’S men have two reasons to celebrate this week.

For not only have they reached the last eight of the National Double Rink, they have also won through to the final of the Turnbull Cup.

Ilminster clinched their place in the double rink finals at Leamington Spa with a 13 shot win over Topsham played on a neutral green at Culm Vale in Cullumpton.

Scores: Will Anderson, Jason Miles, Peter Mattravers and Mark Denslow 18, L Phillips 15; Matt Hamilton, John Ridout, Neil Rowe and Louis Ridout 21, C Holland 11.

In the Turnbull Cup Ilminster beat Portishead 88-46 in the quarter-finals last Tuesday.

Then at Taunton BC on Sunday they defeated Banwell 97-58.

Mark Denslow and Louis Ridout fought it out for the highest winning rink, Denslow coming out on top with a winning card of 29-9.

Scores: Will Anderson, Paul Denslow, Jason Miles and Mark Denslow 29, B Taylor 9; Chris Robinson, Alan Holt, Neil Rowe and Louis Ridout 27, D Johnson 12; Rowland Garland, Kevin Hamilton, Bev Brister and Peter Mattravers 24, M Davies 14; Matt Hamilton, Eric Keitch, Steve Turner and John Ridout 17, J Davies 23.

Ilminster now play Taunton BC in the final at Bristol this Sunday.

In South West 1 of the Somerset league Ilminster B won by just one shot – 45 shots to 44 – at home to fourth-placed Wellington.

This leaves them six points clear of Wyrral Park who have to visit Ilminster in two weeks.

Scores: Ken Parker, Colin White, Alan Holt and Kevin Hamilton 17, M Groves 14; Andy Williams, Dave Collins, Phil Cox and Roland Garland 14, P Killet 14; Des Maull, John Osborne, Barry Sims and Eric Keitch 14, W Head 16. Ilminster 9pts, Wellington 3pts.

The C team also had a very close game against third placed Williton in the same division but just lost 57-55.

Scores: John Wells, John Mitchell, Braine Davies and David Pugh 10, A Sully 25; Mark Davies, Roger Lench, Steve Webster and Sam Webster 19, D Sully; Mike King, Keith Swift, Roy Orme and Robin Trump 26, R Amery 9. Ilminster 2pts Williton 10.

In the Wessex Mixed League Ilminster lost 85-45 at home to Sherborne.

Scores: Sara Lightfoot, John Wells and David Pugh 11, B Wallis 24; Jill Wells, Mike King and Ken Parker 13, C Perry 19; Val Dargue, Dave Cox, Jill Parker 8, J Tuffin 23; Norma Pugh, Roger Lench and Roy Orme 13, J Nunn 19.