HOPES of a good run in this year’s Johns Trophy, inter-county championship, by Wiltshire ladies were severely dented last Saturday in their opening west group game away against Devon at Culm Vale.

After keeping matters tight across the board against Devon and leading them by three shots 90-87 at 15 ends, Wiltshire slumped in the last quarter of the match and were beaten 133-105.

It was a disappointing ending as Wiltshire were 32-27 up at five ends, 69-52 down at 10 but had roared back to lead Devon by three shots 90-87 at 15 but then the wheels came off.

They only scored another 15 shots but dropped 46 to finish well beaten.

Wiltshire only collected four points from the 22 on offer courtesy of the two winning rinks skipped by Carol Grenfell and Margaret Annetts, who registered 23-11 and 18-9 victories respectively.

Devon who won their group last season are now favourites to repeat that success again this time around in 2016.

Wiltshire ladies’ next Johns Trophy West Group B match is home against Dorset at Devizes on Saturday, June 25.

The selectors have yet to name their line-up for the Dorset game.

After that they travel to Weobley to play Herefordshire on July 2 and end their group campaign against Worcestershire at Devizes on July 9.

Only the group winner progresses to the quarter-finals against the winner of other west group.