Oxfordshire suffered a brace of defeats in their latest friendlies.

They went down 163-132 to the Home Counties Bowling Association at Banbury Central.

And then the following day they suffered a 122-106 loss against Herefordshire at Eastnor.

The Home Counties BA, who were led by their chairman and Oxfordshire senior deputy president Ian Whelpton, proved too strong for the county in a seven-rink match.

South Oxford's Ivan Beckett was awarded his colts badge and the 2007 Centenary President Malvin Pitman (Carterton) was presented with his 100-game badge.

It was back to the traditional six rinks for the clash against Herefordshire.

Oxon won on two rinks, but a draw and three losses saw the hosts take victory.

Colts badges were awarded to Denis Piper (Carterton) and Charles Blackmore (Oxford City and County) and a six-game badge to David Jennings (Peppard).

RESULTS Oxfordshire 132, Home Counties BA 163 (Oxon scores): I Beckett, R Cooper, A Hunt, G Roper bt Buckinghamshire 20-15; A Melville, M Collison, L Eltringham, J Lucas bt Kent 25-23; P Christmas, A Fleming, D Bullock, H Winstone lost to Berkshire 22-20; A Simpson, T Thomas, M Pitman, B Gilkes lost to Sussex 24-21; P Brittin, P Cross, B Evans, H Franklin lost to Middlesex 26-20; P Boffin, A Braden, A Newbury, J O'Shea lost to HCBA Executive 24-18; D Fowler, M Jones, J McGeough, M Andrew lost to Surrey 39-7.

Herefordshire 106, Oxfordshire 122 (Oxon scores): D Coleman, A Melville, K Lane, A Newbury won 25-19; S Tolhurst, D Jennings, T Beaumont, I Whelpton won 17-14; D Wotherspoon, C Blackmore, M Jones, H Franklin drew 18-18; D Piper, T Blackmore, T Backer-Holst, J O'Shea lost 23-19; D Fowler, P Cross, G Watts, A Hunt lost 24-17; B Willoughby, M Collison, D Snell, R Claridge lost 24-10.