HEREFORDSHIRE clubs enjoyed mixed fortunes in the first leg of the quarter-final stages of the Hargrove Trophy and Hargrove Plate, the Shropshire and Here-fordshire winter team foursomes competitions.

Hereford A's match against their Ludlow counterparts is nicely balanced after they lost 2-1 and four holes down.

Robin Eckley and Jason Griffiths won the top match three holes up, with Jonathan Devereux and John McQuillan, and Neil Greening and Ben Synnock losing three down and four down respectively.

Kington A beat the much-fancied Oswestry A team 2- at Bradnor and will take a nine-holes up advantage back to Shropshire in two weeks time.

Stewart Franks and youngster Matt Davies got them off to a flying start with a six-up win, Matt Weaver and Ed Deasey followed that with a half, and Darren Richards and Alan Williams anchored the team with a three-up victory.

This tie is also nicely poised with Oswestry having the home advantage but under pressure to win all three games to make sure of booking a place in the semi-finals.

In the Hargrove Plate, a competition for first-round losers, Leominster have given themselves a chance although they went down 2-1 at Ludlow against the home B team.

Kevin Gibbons and Simon Morgan won the last hole to win one up, a victory that could be of some significance when they entertain Ludlow at Ford Bridge.

Gary Price and Jeremy Lawrence lost five down, as did Mike Craddock and Andy Merrick, but skipper Simon Morgan feels that his team are capable of winning all three rubbers in the return tie.

Hereford B have it all to do after going down 3-0 in the away leg against Hawkstone Park B team.

Keith Williams and Neil Bell lost two down, Steve Griffiths and Stephen Eckley lost four down, and Andrew Wheatstone and Richard Wellings lost six down.