Oxfordshire Ladies let a slender lead slip away as they were beaten 115-104 by Middlesex in the John’s Trophy at South Oxford.

Oxon won on just one of the six rinks, with Jeanette Berry skipping her four to a resounding 30-10 victory.

It was Oxon’s second successive defeat in the competition after their opening reverse against Kent. Oxfordshire 104, Middlesex 115 (Oxon skips first): C Penson 14, M Lawford 14; P Ostler 20, J White 21; C Morgan 18, I Barker 19; W Cross 7, A Halliday 33; J Berry 30, M Simpson 10; S Rogers 15, J Elkin 18.

Oxfordshire enjoyed better fortune in the Middle England League when they beat Northamptonshire 115-108 at Roade BC, Northampton.

Oxon won on three rinks, with skips Berry and Pat Ostler recording nine-shot successes.

Northamptonshire 108 (6pts), Oxfordshire 115 (11) (Northants skips first): P Lewis 14, P Ostler 23; V Betts 16, J Berry 25; S Tansley 19, D Jacob 24; J Bradley 21, C Penson 17; B Bishop 18, W Cross 13; A Petrucci 20, S Rogers 13.