Romsey’S wish for 2012 is that their steady progress in recent seasons will see them break into the top two of the Southampton and District Women’s BA A League.

Following the loss of crucial players a few summers ago the club have been gradually rebuilding and achieved their highest position for some years with a third-place finish in 2011.

After being relegated in 2005 Romsey bounced back to the elite division as B League runners-up two seasons later. They were fifth on their return to the A League in 2008, fourth the following year and though their form dipped slightly in 2010 they climbed to third in the latest campaign.

The reason for their resurgence has not only been the general improvement of their bowlers but fielding settled rinks. They used just nine regular bowlers last summer – and would have stuck to eight had not skip Sheila Brightmore been struck down by shingles in mid-season.

The rinks who finished the campaign were: Pam Blake, Carol Deighton, Shirley Burgess, skip Myra Turnell and Eileen Scovell, Ann Clarkson, June Harris, skip Anita Knight. Janet Ing was drafted in for one match.

Knight moved up from three to skip following Brightmore’s illness and it was the Knight rink who shone for Romsey in the S&D WBA Championships by carrying off the fours title with victory against host club Atherley.

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