GLOUCESTERSHIRE women held the upper hand against Buckinghamshire when both sides won three rinks to take an eight-shot winning margin (120-112) at Iver Heath BC.

Women's County Match

Buckinghamshire 112

Gloucestershire 120

The rink of Barbara Nelmes (Cheltenham), Vera Clarke (Gloucester Spa), Carolann Shirtliff (Falcon) and Maddie Hale (Fairford) were in sparkling form when they went from 6-6 after 10 ends to a stunning 22-7 lead five ends later.

Too hot to handle in the run-in they picked up another 10 shots for a 32-8 win.

Ann Taylor of Tetbury was also on a winning rink. Partnering Jan Hunt (Ardagh), Gill Stevenson (Henleaze) and Lyn Hamer (Ardagh), they recovered from 12-6 behind to jump into 16-8 lead and go on to win 18-12.

Joyce Wilkins (Tetbury), and Jenny Stanfield (Moreton) were not so successful.

They looked to be heading for a large defeat when they went 16-6 down but over the next five ends they grabbed 11 shots to one to draw level at 17-17 and then take a 19-18 lead only to squander seven shots in three ends to lose 25-19.

The rink involving Angela Wildsmith (Tetbury) was on the wrong end of a 34-11 defeat.