WILTSHIRE'S hopes of a return to the English county finals were dashed out the South West qualifier at Royal North Devon yesterday.

The 2011 and 2012 national champions finished bottom of the six-team event at South West Week as Cornwall claimed the region's place at the finals, which will take place at the same venue, in September.

With only one of two scheduled rounds possible in the event, Wiltshire carded a combined 33 over par for their six-strong team, Cumberwell Park's Ben Stow and Marlborough's England U18 champion Ben Amor the best of their scorers with three-under-par  75s.

Cornwall's Tom Fox claimed the South West Amateur Championship, won last year by Wiltshire's Jordan Smith, with a four-under-par round of 68.

Wiltshire's inter-county matchplay title bid was continuing today on day four of South West Week as they faced Cornwall, having won one of their two opening matches.

MORE FROM SOUTH WEST WEEK AT GAZETTEANDHERALD.CO.UK/SPORT AND WILTSHRIETIMES.CO.UK/SPORT AND IN THIS WEEK'S GAZETTE & HERALD AND WILTSHIRE TIMES