WILTSHIRE'S hopes of progress in the 2004 Middleton Cup were ended at Wootton Bassett on Saturday.

They slumped to a 21-shot home defeat by Warwickshire in their final inter-counties group match.

Forced to make several late changes through injury and illness to England international Graham Shadwell (shoulder), Steve Snell (knee) and Chris Cheesley (food poisoning) they went down 122-101 to the Midlands county.

Wiltshire struggled throughout a match that lacked any real atmosphere and passion, as both sides knew that barring a disaster Worcestershire would be moving forward to the quarter-finals as the group winner.

It was a sad ending to the 2004 inter-counties championship campaign.

Wiltshire reached the last four at Worthing last year with three group wins and then a brilliant success over Oxfordshire and were firm favourites to win the group and reach Worthing again this year.

The honours on the six rinks were shared at three apiece, but the visitors easily took the victory overall as their three successful rinks all won by double figure margins.

Wiltshire's best result was recorded by Steve Warren's rink who came from 4-2 down at five ends to dominate and win by 10 shots.

Dave Snell, who reverted back to skip with son Steve ruled out, always led his game. His quartet were 9-1 up at five ends and 19-12 at 18 but only just managed to hold on for a two-shot win.

Wiltshire's other success was registered by Ian Jefferies' rink. They clinched a one-shot success with a two on the final end.

The rinks skipped by Mark Dyer and Neil Smith struggled and both lost by 12 shots.

Keith Hutchens, replacing Shadwell as skip, led 11-9 at halfway but then his quartet had to play second fiddle as Jim Freeman turned the screw for a 10-shot win.

Results

Rink 1: Barry Sictorness, John Williamson (Wootton Bassett), Gary Morphet (Rodbourne Cheney) and Ian Jefferies (Westlecot) beat Calvin Wells 20-19.

Rink 2: John Thomas (Westlecot), Ian Williams (Purton), Mel Biggs and Steve Warren (W'lecot) beat Andy Smith 23-13.

Rink 3: Michael Hall (W'lecot), Steve Hesletine (Chippenham T), Neil Hope and Mark Dyer (W'lecot) lost to Martin Timms 12-24.

Rink 4: Kevin Embling (W'lecot), Nick Grenfell (Box), Andy Moore (Spencer Melksham) and Dave Snell (WB) beat Chris Howes 19-17.

Rink 5: Malcolm Webb (Holt), Paul Macdonald, Russell Francis (Spencer Moulton), Keith Hutchens (Westinghouse) lost to Jim Freeman 16-26.

Rink 6: Graham Hatherall, Tony Stevenson, Mike Jackson and Neil Smith (all Westlecot) lost to Graham Ashby 11-23.

Wiltshire (6pts) lost to Warwickshire (16pts) 101-122.

Wiltshire's under 25's team acquitted themselves well against Oxfordshire at Carterton on Sunday, emerging with a 116-111 win.

Adam Tanner's rink held off a strong challenge to win 22-20 and Daniel Hodges' rink recorded an excellent 23-15 victory.

Battling back from 11-0 down, Arran Tucker's four squared the match at 19 ends before going down 17-21.

The rink skipped by John Green was under constant pressure from their more experienced opponents and, despite a courageous performance, was defeated 31-9.

Jason White's quartet scored 11 shots over the final few ends to turn in an impressive 21-10 victory.

There was a dramatic finish to the match as Jamie Titcombe's rink encountered a determined effort by the Oxfordshire rink to win the match.

In an effort to pick up the six shots they needed for an overall victory, Oxfordshire killed the final end four times before Titcombe guided his rink to a well-deserved 24-14 success.

Scores (Wiltshire Skips first): Jason White 21 L. Young 10; John Green 9 A. Cross 31; Arran Tucker 17 N. Welsh 21; Daniel Hodges 23 D. Clanfield 15; Adam Tanner 22 C. Weedon 20; Jamie Titcombe 24 T. Warner 14.