HEREFORDSHIRE County Bowling Association played their second Middleton Cup match of the season against Worcestershire and were beaten on every rink when they went down by 98 shots, losing by 164 shots to 66.

This result gives Worcestershire 22 points and Herefordshire none.

Three of the Herefordshire rinks performed well against rinks skipped by internationalists and lost by single figures, but the remaining rinks were heavily defeated and accounted for 82 of the deficit.

Rob Gwilliam's rink played very well and led 18-13 after 19 ends, but they were unfortunate to lose five shots on the 20th end and the deciding shot on the last end to go down 19-18. This was the only time in the match they were behind, and they were clearly the better rink on the day.

The rink skipped by Brian Cade were down 20-10 after 15 ends, but although they won four of the last six ends the early deficit could not be overcome and they were finally beaten by 23-16. The Herefordshire rink gave a good account of themselves against very strong opposition.

Phil Williams' rink has a tight match and were down 16-14 after 18 ends of a match which could have gone either way, but Worcestershire won the remaining ends for a 22-14 victory.

The rink skipped by Fred Williams fought hard, but they were always behind and although they picked up a five on the last end they finished 31-11 down.

Mike Ricketts' rink managed to score on only three ends and lost 31-4, and the rink skipped by Phil Middleton also scored on three ends and went down 38-3.

Herefordshire's next Middleton Cup match is against Gloucestershire BA at Leominster BC on Saturday, June 25, commencing at 2pm.