Oxfordshire were blown away by Wiltshire's whirlwind finish as they went down 127-116 in their opening Middleton Cup Trial match at Chippenham Town.

The visitors held the upper hand for much of the clash, leading 92-79 after 15 ends.

But they had no answer as the hosts stepped up a gear over the last six ends, returning 48 shots - which was double Oxon's 24 - to storm to an 11-shot victory.

Oxon won on three of the six rinks, but a 28-16 defeat for Mark Sykes's rink of George Schwab, Will Campion and Nick Rae-Welsh against skip Mike Jackson proved crucial.

Although Ryan Buckett's quartet of John Philpott, Ian Henwood and Martin Timms ran out 22-20 winners against skip Steve Heseltine, their tame finish was also important in the final analysis.

Having led 21-12 with six ends left, they were unalbe to capitalise on their advantage, picked up only one more shot.

Howard Watts's rink of Shaun Claridge, Nathan Lewis and Alan Ley also frittered away a healthy lead against skip Ian Williams before securing a 24-22 success.

In contrast to the rest of the team, captain Baden Sparkes's side of Keith Holloway, George Moon and Robbie Clanfield finished in solid fashion to claim a 20-17 win over skip Garry Morphet.

It was nip and tuck as Calvin Carpenter's rink of Andy Wise, Lee Young and Stuart Richens slipped to a 19-16 defeat against skip Andrew Colebrooke.

And Mark Charlett's side of Mick Nash, Sammy Timms and Colin Whitehead suffered a similar fate against Billy McKay, going down 21-18.

Oxon continue their Middleton Cup build-up against Northants at Banbury Central on Saturday.

Our picture shows Baden Sparkes who skipped his rink to victory.

Wiltshire 127, Oxfordshire 116 (Wiltshire rinks first) Rink 1: J Nobbs, N Gould, J Hazleton, S Heseltine 20; J Philpott, I Henwood, M Timms, R Buckett 22.

Rink 2: S Allison, M Wittaker, M Drew, A Colebrooke 19; A Wise, L Young, S Richens, C Carpenter 16.

Rink 3: R Jennings, T Spreadbury, S Mitchell, B McKay 21; M Nash, S Timms, C Whitehead, M Charlett 18.

Rink 4: T Keating, C Cheesley, B Gadd, I Williams 22; S Claridge, N Lewis, A Ley, H Watts 24.

Rink 5: M Snell, M Shawyer, D Rideout, M Jackson 28; G Schwab, W Campion, N Rae-Welsh, M Sykes 16.

Rink 6: B Hatton, D Hodges, P McDonald, G Morphet 17; K Holloway, Ge Moon, Ro Clanfield, B Sparkes 20.

Oxfordshire (v Northants, Banbury Central, Sat): L Young, Ge Moon, B Sparkes, C Carpenter; K Holloway, R Redford, S Richens, G Lucas; G Schwab, W Campion, M Timms, Gr Moon; A Wise, M Petersen, M Charlett, A Prew; S Claridge, Ro Clanfield, R Buckett, M Sykes; A McIntyre, N Lewis, A Ley, H Watts.

CLUB RESULTS Kingston Bagpuize & Southmoor 68, Harwell 73 (Kingston skips first): T Blackler 17, D Powell 10; M Craddock 18, G Porter 16; P Pearce 22, J Pitson 23; K Sparrow11, D Morgan 24.

Kingston Bagpuize & Southmoor 76, OU Press 67 (Kingston skips first): T Blackler 30, S Blay 13; D Buckland 23, J Taylor 11; M Cox 17, A Jackman 14; V Potter 6; A Tozer 29.

Kingston Bagpuize & Southmoor 84, Wantage 76 (Kingston skips first): F Abraham 26, T Mahon 20; H Abraham 20, J Bunting 19; D Asj 24, K Woodward 15; P Pearce 14, M Dick 22.

Wantage 76, Hagbourne 74 (Wantage skips first): H Jones 19, P Ryman 23; A Mead 13, D Hall 13; T Mahon 31, J Beardsley 16; M Dick 13, M James 22.

Wallingford 73, Hurst 105 (Wallingford skips first): P Bailey 13, E Nutley 23; C Dolton 16, R Lepington 21; J Fletcher 10, R.Prickett 24; P Honeybone 18, A Boddrell 18; G Williams 16, E.Taylor 19.

Wallingford 84, Abingdon 101 (Wallingford skips first): P Honeybone 20, P Rogers 16; B Green 14, B Turner 25; C Dolton 11, R Pyhiger 25; R Wyman 20, A Hall 12; H Oliver 19, P.Woodville 23.

Wallingford 70, Milton Hill 91 (Wallingford skips first): K Currill 15, A.Ingram 23; J Howard 11, R Clewley 21; J Fletcher 14, R Wiggins 21; R Wyman 20, M Thornbley 8; P Bailey 10, A Clewley 18.