Middleton Cup Oxfordshire's EBA Middleton Cup hopes were left in tatters as they crashed to a 118-99 defeat against Hampshire at Atherley.

It means they have now lost two of their three games in Group 3A.

Oxon won on three of the six rinks, but a crushing 34-8 defeat for Mark Charlett's four of John Philpott, Sammy Timms and Colin Whitehead ultimately proved decisive.

The visitors trailed throughout as Hampshire led 69-32 after ten ends, and although Oxon reduced the deficit to 87-68 after 15, they never looked like turning the match around.

Charlett trailed a staggering 20-1 after ten ends to skip Jim Marsland and there was no way back.

Howard Watts's side of Jim Gamage, Nathan Lewis and Ian Henwood provided Oxon's best win with a 23-11 victory over David Oakes.

Calvin Carpenter's side of Nick Welsh, George Moon and Mark Sykes staged a tremendous fightback to beat skip Peter Ward 17-13.

The Oxon quartet trailed 12-6 after 15 ends, before finishing with a flourish.

Alan Prew's rink of Remy Clanfield, Richard Redford and Ryan Buckett overcame a rocky start to beat skip Charlie Bailey 21-19.

The Oxon four were 9-1 down after five ends, before rallying to lead 13-11 after ten ends.

All square at 16-16 after 15 ends, Prew's men then edged their way to victory.

Gary Lucas's rink of Keith Holloway, Barry Lambourne and Greg Moon were always behind as they slipped to a 23-17 defeat against skip Colin Thresher.

And captain Baden Sparkes's four of Andy Wise, Stuart Richens and Robert Clanfield went down 18-13 to skip Adam Tidby.

Hampshire 118 (16pts), Oxfordshire 99 (6) (Hampshire rinks first)

Rink 1: M Hutley, L May, G Standley, P Ward 13; N Welsh, Ge Moon, M Sykes, C Carpenter 17.

Rink 2: I Rawlinson, D Clark, C Daniels, J Marsland 34; J Philpott, S Timms, C Whitehead, M Charlett 8.

Rink 3: I Churchman, G Hillier, C Hayward, C Bailey 19; Re Clanfield, R Redford, R Buckett, A Prew 21.

Rink 4: M Slade, B Bendall, R Garrett, D Oakes 11; J Gamage, N Lewis, I Henwood, H Watts 23.

Rink 5: D Coulson, P Gentry, C Cranham, C Thresher 23; K Holloway, B Lambourne, Gr Moon, G Lucas 17.

Rink 6: K Philip, J Bright, M Hammond, A Tidby 18; A Wise, S Richens, Ro Clanfield, B Sparkes 13.