OXFORDSHIRE recorded a convincing 127-105 victory over Gloucestershire in their second Middleton Cup trial match at Roade BC.

Having being on the end of a seven-shot defeat against North-amptonshire a week ago, Oxon hit back in style, winning on four of the six rinks.

Mark Sykes’s four of George Moon, Barry Lambourne and AJ Docherty were in fine form, winning 34-12 having led 9-0 after five ends.

Greg Moon, Alan Prew and Mark Charlett were the other victorious skips in a fine all-round display.

Oxfordshire’s first Middleton Cup game is against Hampshire at Atherly BC on Saturday, June 4 (2pm).

Oxfordshire 127, Gloucestershire 105 (Oxon skips first): G Moon 19, P Bryant 18; I Snowdon 18, R Griffiths 25; M Sykes 34, L Williamson 12; A Prew 22, K Hinder 16; M Charlett 20, D Howes 17; H Watts 14, J Roach 17.

Oxfordshire made it through to the next round of the Balcomb Trophy after a dramatic extra-end victory over Buckinghamshire at Princes Risborough BC.

Oxon lost to Bucks at the same venue 12 months ago, but this year there was nothing between the sides.

Sykes’s rink finished level at 19-19, with Howard Watts’s four ending 20-20.

Watts was then forced to play an extra end, which he won, to set up a clash with Berkshire in the next round.