LEDBURY Bowling Club’s aces could not help Herefordshire men make their home advantage count in the Middleton Cup.

The county slipped to a 140-96 shot defeat against Devon at St Martin’s, Hereford, as a strong visiting side won 20-2 on points.

Devon called on a team full of England junior and senior internationals and their class showed right from the start.

Herefordshire’s only winning rink was skipped by Shaun Jones, of Ross-on-Wye, alongside club-mate Dan Palmer, Ledbury’s Tom Holmes and Bodenham’s Colin Walters.

They led 13-4 after 10 ends and 19-13 with just three to go but Devon rallied to pick up a one and three, making the score 19-17 with one left.

On the last end with only Jones to bowl, Devon held the advantage with three shots but the skipper removed two to win 19-18.

Two rinks made comebacks in defeat after both experienced poor starts.

After 11 ends, the rink skipped by Hereford’s Phil Williams was 23-7 down but, over the run-in, they picked up 13 shots to one to only go down 24-20.

Williams had two Eastnor players in his ranks from Deer Park in Steve Jones and Bob Loveridge with Bulmers’ Clive Handscombe also involved.

The other comeback was skipped by Paul Rainthorpe, who was joined by Ledbury’s Rob Jaynes, Alec Tandler from Brimfield and Glyn Lloyd from Leominster.

After nine ends, his rink was 15-2 down but, again in the second-half, they recovered to lose 25-19.

Ledbury bowler Mike Ricketts’ rink looked like they might pull off a victory for a long time when they led 12-6 following eight ends.

On the ninth end, they dropped a five but still led 13-11 after 10.

However, over the final ends, Devon scored 13 shots to Herefordshire’s four to finally win 24-17.

Ricketts was joined by Ledbury club-mates Dan Holmes and Mike Holmes as well as Hereford’s Phil Holland.

The rink of Ross’ Paul Brown, Ivan Beesley, Richard Cooke and David Magness were beaten 35-10.

Glyn Williams (Ross), Joe Scamp (Kingsland), Russell Jones (Leominster) and Phil Middleton (Ross) went down 34-11.

Herefordshire’s final group game is away to Gloucestershire at Barnwood on Saturday, July 4.

Meanwhile, Ledbury hold a summer open fours tournament at Bank Crescent on Sunday, July 19, with a first prize of £500.

There are also rewards for finishing second, third and fourth.

Entry is £24 per team and open on a first-come, first-served basis.