GLOUCESTERSHIRE pulled off an 11-shot Middleton Cup victory (113-102) against Warwickshire at Rugby BC thanks in no small measure to the efforts of two local bowlers – Roger Bird of Tetbury and Nigel Cansdale of Cirencester.

Middleton Cup

Warwickshire 102

Gloucestershire 113

The victory keeps alive Gloucestershire's hopes of a quarter-final place.

In a grandstand finish the side dug deep to pull back from 80-75 and 93-91 down to win four rinks against two to pick up the valuable 10 points for the win.

Bird and Cansdale were joined on their winning rink by John Smallwood and Paul Bryant of Olveston when taking on Calvin Wells.

They were 11-6 up at the halfway stage, only two shots ahead five ends later, but then pulled away on the final run-in for a 19-12 win.

County Match

Mid Glamorgan 122

Gloucestershire 118

CIRENCESTER pairing Chris Rowles and Peter Cottey played a prominent role on one of Gloucestershire's three winning rinks but in a grandstand finish Mid-Glamorgan just edged out the visitors 122-118 at Mountain Ash BC.

Rowles and Cottey were joined by Vic Martin (Gloucester Spa) and Bunny Coles (Nailsworth) on the highest winning rink when they beat J Turner 26-11 – and that after being 9-2 down after six ends.

County Competitions

Pairs Semi Finals

THE County Pairs semi finals at Moreton-in-Marsh Bowls Club saw Dave Howes (Stroud) reach the final for the third year running along with partner John Heathcote who last season was beaten in the semi final. They got the better of John Smallwood and Paul Bryant of Olveston by a handsome 23-8.

In the other semi final, Brian Burleigh and Keith Hinder (Dursley) beat Derek Hayward and Kevin Griffiths (British Aeroplane Company) 26-11.

White Rose Trophy

GLOUCESTERSHIRE U25s' hopes of a place in the regional final of the White Rose Trophy were wiped out when they lost 44-28 to Worcestershire at Bath BC.