Oxfordshire Ladies face an uphill task to progress in the Johns Trophy following a 128-102 defeat by Sussex at Thatcham.

The South Group Section A game was close until 15 ends when Sussex broke away to claim victory.

Oxfordshire won on just two of the six rinks, with Carol Gaskins and Donna Knight the successful skips.

The defeat leaves Oxon second in the group, 14 points adrift of leaders Berkshire, who they face visit in their final match on July 4.

Oxfordshire 102 (4pts), Sussex 128 (18) (Oxon skips first): W Cross 18, L Kuhler 21; C Gaskins 20, R George 18; P Ostler 15, C Bowles 19; C Penson 11, W Davies 26; D Knight 21, K Slayer 20; J Berry 17, D Hodd 24.

OXON Ladies beat Nottinghamshire 129-91 in the Middle England League at Irchester.

Nottinghamshire 91 (2pts), Oxfordshire 129 (15) (Notts skips first): I Wright 13, W Cross 18; S Offler 21, P Ostler 12; M Maidlow 18, C Penson 28; T Wombell 11, A Ives 20; E Adams 14, D Penn 27; B Atherton 14, C Nall 24.

OXON Ladies triumphed 123-84 over Middlesex in a friendly at Broomfield.

Middlesex 84, Oxfordshire 123 (Middlesex skips first): L Dutton 15, A Ives 16; W Grzegorczyk 16, C Gaskins 14; R McDonald 20, W Cross 20; M Lawford 7, J Berry 29; J Elkin 11, D Jacob 24; A Halliday 15, C Nall 20.