Oxfordshire gained an exciting victory three shot victory over Wiltshire in their Middleton Cup trial match at Banbury Central on Sunday.

In a fluctuating contest, Oxon actually trailed by seven shots after ten ends, but then turned it round in dramatic fashion to lead by nine after 15 ends

Wiltshire rallied strongly in the closing stages but had to settle for a 118-115 defeat.

Oxon were triumphant on three of the top four rinks, with their biggest win coming from skip Ryan Buckett, who secured an eight-shot advantage.

Veteran Oxon skip Alan Ley drew his match on rink one, while Greg Moon's team suffered the biggest defeat.

Oxon will be hoping to continue their winning form in a trial against Northants at Wellingborough on Saturday.

They will open their cup campaign against Berkshire at Suttons on Saturday, June 4.

Oxfordshire 118, Wiltshire 115

(Oxfordshire rinks first)

Rink 1: J Gamage, P Comley, R Hewson, A Ley (skip) 18; M Grenfell (skip) 18.

Rink 2: J Philpott, N Lewis, N Welsh, M Charlett 25; D Snell 23.

Rink 3: S Townsend, K Holloway, B Lambourne, R Buckett (skip) 20; G Morphet (skip 12.

Rink 4: L Young, Geo Moon, M Sykes, C Carpenter (skip) 23; I Jefferies (skip 19).

Rink 5: M Nash, C Earl, L Campion, Greg Moon (skip) 16; N Hope 24.

Rink 6: S Richens, S Timms, R Clanfield, B Sparkes (skip) 16; S Snell (skip) 19.

OXON FIXTURES

Middleton Cup

Sat June 4 v Berks (Suttons), Sat June 11 v Hants (Banbury), Sat June 18 v Isle of Wight (Banbury), Sat June 25 v Middlesex (Ladygate), Sat July 23 quarter-finals.