HEREFORDSHIRE played the penultimate match of their Middleton Cup group against Glouc-estershire at Leominster and slipped to their third successive defeat in the competition, winning on only one rink in a 140-85 reverse.

The home county were only three shots down at the half-way stage, and after 15 ends were still in touch at 12 shots down, but their opponents scored heavily on two rinks in the remaining ends to increase the winning margin to 55 shots.

This result gave Glouc-estershire 20 points to Herefordshire's two.

Herefordshire's only success was provided by Ron Perry's rink who had a tight match and won 18-17 after being level at 15-15 after 18 ends.

The entire rink played well with Dave Holloway and Ray Walker providing the start required, being supported by John Harris and well skipped by Perry.

Mike Ricketts' rink played well, and in a low-scoring match were level at 12-12 after 18 ends. They were very unfortunate to lose five at the 19th end and went down 18-13.

The rink skipped by Fred Williams also played well and led 20-19 after 18 ends, but Gloucestershire won the last three ends for a 28-20 victory, while the rink skipped by Phil Williams were down 18-13 after 19 ends but also lost the last three ends to finish 23-13 down.

Rob Gwilliam's rink were only 10-7 down after 13 ends, but managed to score on only one more end and were defeated 23-8.

Brian Cade's rink suffered Herefordshire's heaviest defeat when, after leading 11-8 after 10 ends, they lost 10 successive ends before scoring two on the last to finish 31-13 down.

Herefordshire can expect another stern test when they meet Wiltshire in their last Middleton Cup match at Hereford BC on Saturday, starting at 2pm, when spectators will be welcome.