Norfolk's Middleton Cup hopes were hit by a nine-shot defeat by Huntingdonshire in Peterborough. Hunts, having won their opening two games, now look favourites to progress to the quarter-finals, but have a difficult match against Essex.

Norfolk's Middleton Cup hopes were hit by a nine-shot defeat by Huntingdonshire in Peterborough.

Hunts, having won their opening two games, now look favourites to progress to the quarter-finals, but have a difficult match against Essex.

Norfolk will be hoping for an Essex win, which would put them back in contention if they win their final group game against Cambridgeshire.

Hunts and Norfolk were evenly matched over the opening ends, but the hosts moved ahead over the middle period of the match to establish what proved to be a winning lead of 30 shots.

Norfolk gradually reduced the deficit, led by a strong second-half performance by Brian Taylor's rink, but Hunts held on to win 117-108 to take 18 of the 22 points.

Manager Taylor said: 'We knew we were in for a tough match and although conditions did not really suit us I was proud of the way the team battled back.

'Unfortunately we ran out of ends and Huntingdonshire held on. We are not yet out of it as Hunts have a difficult match against Essex next week and we will be looking at Essex to do us a favour.'

North Walsham's Trevor Webb made his 150th Middleton Cup appearance, a feat matched only by Brian Taylor and David Ward.

n Rink scores: John Ottaway, Micky Brown, Bernie Perrett and Brian Taylor 25-10; Gary Mallett, Jake Willgress, Paul Shackcloth and Mervyn King 25-22; Max Harrison, George Tubby, Danny Page and Darren Rowsell 12-21; John Tufts, Neil Moulton, Mark Riches and Trevor Webb 14-19; Sam King, Mark Turner, Wayne Willgress and Jamie Chestney 12-24; Steffan Adcock, Roger Guy, Peter Boldero and Philip Barr 20-21.