OXFORDSHIRE lost 108-100 at Northamptonshire in their Middleton Cup trial match at Roade.

Despite winning on three of the six rinks – Mark Sykes, Greg Moon and Howard Watts the successful skips – Oxon fell just short.

Sykes’s four triumphed 20-14, with Moon’s team winning 18-17 and Watts’s side romping to a 28-10 success.

However, Ian Snowden’s rink fell to a 25-9 loss, Richard Redford’s four were beaten 17-15, and Alan Ley’s team went down 25-10.

Oxon’s final trial match is against Gloucestershie at Banbury Central on Saturday.

OXON RINK SCORES D Hall, G May, J King & M Sykes won 20-14.

M Nash, I Henwood, M Charlett & I Snowden lost 25-9.

K Holloway, M Gleeson, B Lambourne & G Moon won 18-17.

S Claridge, N Lewis, R Clanfield & H Watts won 28-10.

A McIntyre, K Alder, R Barnett & R R edford lost 17-15.

S Gibson, P Comley, M Petersen & A Ley lost 25-10.

l Oxfordshire enjoyed a 158-107 victory over London and southern Counties in a friendly match at Oxford City & County BC.

County president Ian Whelpton’s rink won the first seven ends to lead 16-0, and most of the side followed suit.

A full badge was awarded to David Steel (Shiplake).

OXON RINK SCORES S Tolhurst, L Lacey, B Evans & M Andrew lost 21-16.

D Lines, P Cross, M Pitman & L Lewis won 38-13.

S Gibson, J Woodward, M Workman & I Whelpton won 28-14.

A McIntyre, P Astall, H Payne & A Ley lost 27-15.

A Braden, L Eltringham, A Hunt & M Gleeson won 29-20.

S Evans, D Steel, S Gilkes & J O’Shea won 32-12.