Oxfordshire were denied a hat-trick of wins in their Middleton Cup Trial matches when they went down 132-114 to Gloucestershire at Frampton on Severn.

Having beaten Wiltshire and Northants in their opening two games, Oxon, who weren't at full strength, found Gloucs too strong.

They won on two of the six rinks with Mark Sykes's side of Nick Welsh, Richard Redford and Les Campion posting a 26-11 success.

Alan Prew's four of Remy Clanfield, Gordon Roper and Ryan Buckett notched Oxon's other win with a 20-18 victory.

Howard Watts' side of Jim Gamage, Nathan Lewis and Ian Henwood were leading 18-12 after 15 ends only to go down 28-21.

A slow start saw Baden Sparkes' four of Mick Nash, Sammy Timms and Robert Clanfield hammered 24-12.

Colin Whitehead's rink of Spencer Townsend, Keith Holloway and Mervyn Gleeson were beaten 24-16.

And Mark Charlett's quartet of John Philpott, Alan Braden and Robin Hewson went down 27-19.

Oxon, who face Surrey in the Home Counties League at Croydon on Saturday, now look forward to their Middleton Cup opener against Isle of Wight at Shanklin on Saturday, June 3.