HEREFORDSHIRE CBA played their second Middleton Cup match against Worcester at Gilt Edge on Saturday and were defeated by 127 shots to 92, winning on one rink only.

The team played much better than in their first tie against Gloucester, but the very experienced Worcester team, which included five internationals, led by 90-71 after 15 ends and finished strongly to keep their position as section leaders.

Dave Magness skipped Herefordshire's winning rink in a 19-14 victory over Phil Moule, while Brynley Powell's rink also played an excellent match and were unfortunate to lose to the last wood, going down 24-26.

The rink skipped by Roger Barnes fought back from a 3-16 deficit at 12 ends against Worcester's Top Rink representatives, skipped by international Grant Burgess, before finally going down 10-21. This was a very creditable performance against talented opposition.

Clive Benson had a very tight match and was within three shots at 18 ends, but unfortunately lost a further six shots in the last three ends to finish 14-23, and the rink skipped by Mike Ricketts were down 13-15 at 17 ends, finally losing 14-21.

Barry Payne's rink were down 8-10 after 12 ends against international Rob Stanley, but could not manage to get in front in the remaining ends and finally lost 11-22.

The match showed a six-shot per rink average defeat, with the team giving much more fight than in their last match.

Team manager Jack Gray has made only one change, due to the unavailability of a player, for the final match against Warwickshire BA at Leamington Spa on Saturday, July 6.

NASH ROCKS LEAGUE

Hay remain top of the Nash Rocks League with a 100 per cent record, while Kingsland and Kington are the nearest challengers, having won one fewer game.

The match between those two was very close, although Kington eventually beat the hosts by 11 shots. Two rinks were drawn but Kington gained the points by winning three of the other four rinks by narrow margins.

Most clubs have suffered matches being abandoned due to the weather. Leominster has been the worst casualty with three matches lost.

l Results: St Martin's 83, Kingsland 108; Hay 111, Hereford 58; Kingsland 110, Wellington 39; St Martin's 90, Brimfield 139; Kington 57, Hay 96; Hereford 76, Wellington 67; Hay 55, St Martin's 46; Kingsland 102, Kington 113; St Martin's 58, Hereford 84.