Oxfordshire Under 25s missed out on reaching the national finals of the White Rose Trophy Double Rink competition in Worthing next month after an agonising 35-34 defeat against Sussex Under 25s at Kidlington.

George Schwab’s rink of Sam Watts, Chris Gilkes and Shane Cooper got Oxfordshire off to a good start as they opened up a nine-shot lead at ten ends against junior international Aaron Southgate.

Oxon’s Gary May, with Carterton brothers Dan and Darren Wakeman and team captain Lee Wilkinson, led at five ends but, struggling by their own high standards, were behind at ten.

Although the Oxon four battled throughout, they went down 22-13.

Meanwhile, Watts in only his second outdoor season, enjoyed a solid start and Gilkes, although below par, added with some great bowls.

But it was Cooper, and particularly Schwab, who caught the eye with some magnificent play.

May levelled at 34-34, only for Schwab to see his bowl hit the jack on the final end and ricochet back up the green to hand Sussex victory by a single point and end Oxon’s dream.

Oxfordshire U25s 34, Sussex U25s 35 (Oxon skips first) Rink 1: G Schwab, S Cooper, C Gilkes, S Watts 21; A Southgate, D Anderson, D Nye, J Fairhall 13.

Rink 2: G May, Dan Wakeman, L Wilkinson, Darren Wakeman 13; S Holland, M Heitzman, J Fenn-Tye, C Nutton 22.