Oxfordshire paid the price for a tardy start as they completed their Middleton Cup build-up with a 112-96 defeat against Gloucestershire in a trial match at Frampton-on- Severn.

It leaves Oxon with a record of one win from their three warm-up games - follwing a defeat by Wiltshire and a victory over Northants - ahead of their cup opener against Berkshire at Suttons on Saturday, May 31.

Oxon never recovered as Gloucestershire raced into a 35-13 lead after five ends.

The hosts maintained their advantage over the next ten ends, and although Oxon reduced the deficit over the last six ends, it was too much to make up.

Despite always trailing, Oxon won on three of the six rinks.

Mark Sykes's side of Andy McIntyre, Lee Young and Colin Whitehead produced Oxon's best win, pulling away in the second half to triumph 23-16.

Greg Moon's rink of John Philpott, Ian Henwood and Martin Timms also finished strongly for a 22-17 success.

And Howard Watts's quartet of Shaun Claridge, Nathan Lewis and Nick Rae-Welsh came from behind over the last six ends to triumph 19-14.

But a heavy 30-9 defeat for Calvin Carpenter's side of Andy Wise, Sammy Timms and Baden Sparkes proved costly.

They were always fighting a losing battle after a disastrous start, which saw them go 12-2 down over the first five ends.

It was a similar story for Gary Lucas's rink of Keith Holloway, Richard Redford and George Moon as they drew a blank over the first five ends to trail 7-0 on the way to a 20-11 defeat.

Alan Prew's side of Mick Nash, Mike Petersen and Mark Charlett had a see-saw battle, leading 11-8 after 15 ends before slipping to a 15-12 defeat.

Oxon open their Home Counties League campaign with a clash against Surrey at Croydon on Saturday.

Gloucestershire 112, Oxfordshire 96 (Gloucs rinks first) Rink 1: J Heathcote, P Nelmes, D Lewis, G Phillips 16; A McIntyre, L Young, C Whitehead, M Sykes 23.

Rink 2: V Wilks, D Cooper, N Cansdale, R Griffiths 20; K Holloway, R Redford, Ge Moon, G Lucas 11.

Rink 3: J Dyer, A Binnie, P Bryant, S Wiltshire 15; M Nash, M Petersen, M Charlett, A Prew 12.

Rink 4: D Farr, R Gartan, I Gauld, K Hinder 30; A Wise, S Timms, B Sparkes, C Carpenter 9.

Rink 5: R Young, R Speke, D Fletcher, D Howes 14; S Claridge, N Lewis, N Rae-Welsh, H Watts 19.

Rink 6: T Jones, M Cuthbert, M Woodbridge, L Williamson 17; J Philpott, I Henwood, M Timms, Gr Moon 22.

MIDDLETON CUP TEAM Oxfordshire (v Berkshire, Sat, May 31, Suttons BC): C Whitehead, Ge Moon, B Sparkes, C Carpenter; K Holloway, R Redford, S Richens, G Lucas; J Philpott, I Henwood, M Timms, Gr Moon; M Nash, M Petersen, M Charlett, A Prew; L Young, R Clanfield, R Buckett, M Sykes; S Claridge, N Lewis, N Rae-Welsh, H Watts. Res: A Ley, A McIntyre, S Timms.

COUNTY TOP TWO FOURS TEAM Oxfordshire (v Surrey, Sun, June 1, Banbury Borough): J Philpott, N Rae-Welsh, A Prew, Gr Moon; K Holloway, H Watts, M Sykes, G Lucas.