HEREFORDSHIRE suffered two defeats in their latest English CountiesLeague matches.

Veteran Division 4D - Herefordshire 2nd 4 Berkshire 5th 6: Neville Meredith lost the first singles in the 4th set at deuce, followed by John Hunt to lose in the 5th in a close fought match.

Gordon Stables got the home side on the scoreboard at deuce in the 5th to make it 1-2, but lost the first mixed doubles in straight sets partnering Sharon Powell.

Meredith won his second singles in the 4th to make it 2-4. Powell then lost her only singles in the 5th, but Stables and Hunt won the men's doubles in straight sets to make it 3-4. Hunt lost his second singles in straight sets, although the last one at deuce, followed by Stables losing in the 4th for the away team victory.

Meredith and Powell in the second mixed doubles won in the 4th set for a final score of 4-6.

Scores: Gordon Stables 5-11, 11-8, 11-3, 2-11, 16-14 and 4-11, 5-11, 11-2, 9-11. Neville Meredith 12-10, 4-11, 9-11, 11-13 and 8-11, 11-7, 14-12, 11-9. John Hunt 7-11, 11-9, 11-7, 11-13, 9-11 and 7-11, 5-11, 11-13. Sharon Powell 7-11, 11-6, 11-9, 5-11, 6-11. Stables and Hunt in men's doubles 12-10, 11-7, 11-4. Powell and Stables in the 1st mixed doubles 9-11, 6-11, 9-11. Powell and Meredith in the 2nd mixed doubles 11-5, 10-12, 11-4, 11-8.

Veteran Division 4C - Wilthsire 4th 10 Herefordshire 3rd 0: The home team proved too strong for the county side, although two games went into the fifth set and three into the fourth.

Lin Ashman was involved in both five-set games, first in her only singles in which she lost the first two at deuce, won the next two only to lose the fifth, and during the last game in the second mixed doubles partnering Steve Farr.

Farr lost his first singles in the fourth. Mike Wheatley and Mike Morgan lost the men's doubles in the fourth.

Scores: Mike Wheatley 6-11, 11-8, 10-12, 6-11 and 3-11, 6-11, 7-11. Steve Farr 11-5, 4-11, 7-11, 4-11 and 9-11, 3-11, 11-13. Mike Morgan 4-11, 9-11, 6-11and 5-11, 5-11, 11-6, 8-11. Lin Ashman 10-12, 12-14, 11-8, 11-8, 6-11. Ashman and Morgan in 1st mixed doubles 10-12, 8-11, 7-11. Ashman and Farr in 2nd mixed doubles 11-9, 11-13, 3-11, 11-9, 3-11. Wheatley and Morgan in Men's doubles 5-11, 5-11, 11-6, 8-11.

l Hereford Leisure Centre is again hosting the Veterans' Western Masters Championships during ther weekend of January 10-11. The closing date for entries is December 13. Contact Harry Jutle for details on 01432 342552, or 07752 181681, or email jutle@btinternet.com.