HEREFORDSHIRE'S Premier team lost to Hampshire at Pucklechurch in a friendly but very competitive day's play.

Every point was precious, every shot counted. By lunch-time the teams were equal on points but with Hants just ahead on shots.

During the afternoon the same quality of play was there and by the end of the day the teams were equal with 16 points each but with Hants just ahead by seven shots. This gave them the four extra points at the finish and they won 172-165 on shots and 20-16 on points.

Herefordshire A lost to Northants A by the narrowest of margins in the knockout stage of the championship at Redditch.

The result was decided on the very last end of the final game with Northants winning 174-172 on shots and 19-17 on points.

Mark Carpenter (singles), Betty and Harold Aubrey (pairs), and David and Gill Dudley, Janet Cooper and Jon Thomas (fours) won both their games.

The team as a whole put up a good fight, having played well throughout their first season.