WILTSHIRE men’s best run in the inter-county championship for the Liberty Trophy for 19 years is finally over.

After recording wins over Gloucestershire and Hampshire in previous rounds, they were beaten 106-104 in the quarter-finals by reigning champions Northamptonshire at Westlecot last Saturday.

This was despite Wiltshire taking the honours on three of the six rinks, drawing on a fourth, and only losing on two of them.

The rinks skipped by Christie Miller’s Wayne Snook (15 shots), Westlecot’s Mel Biggs and Ian Jefferies (two shots each) all won, while player/manager Neil Smith drew.

However, this 19-shots advantage was not sufficient to cover for the two losses suffered by the foursomes skipped by Andy Moore (12 shots) and Mike Titcombe (nine shots).

Wiltshire made a slow start against Northants as in previous matches and trailed 33-17 across the board after five ends but had cut the deficit back against the holders to only 53-49 at halfway.

The holders still held a 75-68 lead at 15 ends and 94-86 at 18, however, in the last few ends, Wiltshire rallied to move in front briefly but back came Northants to seal a last gasp victory on the very last end.

Wiltshire team manager Smith said: “It is obviously very disappointing to lose narrowly but it was a fantastic effort from our team in the Liberty Trophy.

“To be 94- 93 up with a few ends to go against the reigning champions was a credit to the whole team.

“I had always been confident we could compete with the best and we proved that this season.

“A massive thanks from me to all the players.”