With a break from Middleton Cup action this weekend Norfolk had a double header against Bedfordshire in the Eastern Counties League and in the National Inter County Two Fours Balcomb Trophy championship.

It proved a disappointing weekend with the county suffering defeats in both matches.

Having won their opening match in the Eastern Counties League Norfolk have now suffered successive defeats losing the match against Bedfordshire by 14 shots and securing six of the 22 points at stake. Norfolk were behind for most for most of the match but moved into a three-shot lead at 15 ends but let the lead slip over the closing ends to lose by 112 shots to 126. Rink honours were shared three a apiece with the Norfolk wins coming on those skipped by Ian Wones, Bernie Perrett & James Segolo.

Rink scores: Max Harrison, Harry Cater, Chris Rowe & James Segolo 21 Grant Osbourne 14; Luke Preston, Aaron Stimson, Colin Scott & Ian Wones 26 Kevin Tift 18; Gary Mallett, Matt Flatman, Michael Tufts & Tom Segolo 13 Jim Allen 21; Matthew Warnes, Colin Warnes, Peter Roseblade & Bernie Perrett 28 Mike Bertrand 24; John Tufts, Ryan Garman, Mick Brown & Brian Taylor 15 Andrew Manning 26; John Mason, Peter Cottee, Alan Willer & John George 9 Peter Lee 23.

In the Balcomb Trophy Norfolk's poor run in this championship in recent years continued when at County Arts BC they lost by 48 shots to 42. David Smith's rink earned a hard fought draw against Kevin Tift and Wayne Willgress's rink went down by four shots to Jim Allen. Bedfordshire now qualify for the regional finals.

Rink scores: Max Harrison, George Tubby, Peter Wilkinson & David Smith 22 Kevin Tift 22; John Tufts, Matt Flatman, James Segolo & Wayne Willgress 20 Jim Allen 26.

Next Saturday Norfolk are back in Middleton Cup action when they entertain Northamptonshire at County Arts.

In last weekend's matches Northamptonshire played their second match when they travelled to Suffolk and came away with a nine-shot victory and 16 points, a win which moves Northamptonshire to the top of the group with 31 points. Norfolk currently sit on 18 points from the one match played so the match has added significance for County, victory would keep them well in the hunt for the group honours but defeat would mean Northamptonshire moving further ahead.

The Norfolk team is unchanged from that which won so well in their opening match.

Team: Dan Mills, Ian Wones, John Ottaway & David Smith; Tom Baker, Mick Brown, Mervyn King & Philip Barr; John Tufts, Matt Flatman, James Segolo & Wayne Willgress; Max Harrison, Adrian Folker, Andy Siely & Peter Boldero; Barry Footer, Aaron Stimson, Tom Segolo & Peter Wilkinson; Dan Seabourne, Bernie Perrett, Mark Turner & George Tubby.