WILTSHIRE bounced back from the disappointment of failing to qualifying to defend their national county final by continuing to set the pace at the inter-county team matchplay championship at South West Week yesterday.

Dave Bauer's side saw their hopes of claiming a hat-trick of national crowns end on Tuesday, Devon claiming the South West qualifier as last year's regional amateur Ben Loughrey was disqualified to end the defending champions' hopes.

Wiltshire led the matchplay event after two rounds and maintained top spot at Dudsbury Golf Club, near Bournemouth, yesterday with a superb come-from-behind victory over Gloucestershire.

Bauer's men trailed 5-3 after the morning singles only new regional strokeplay champion Jordan Smith, fellow Bowood player Garry Slade and Broome Manor's Yoshio Takeuchi tasting victory.

However, they roared back to remain unbeaten in the afternoon foursomes, Josh Loughrey (Wrag Barn) and Takeuchi, Ben Loughrey (Wrag Barn) and Smith and Slade and county champion Jack Charman (North Wilts) all securing wins.

Robbie Busher (Salisbury & South Wilts) and Ben Amor (Marlborough) halved their match as Wiltshire closed out an 8¼-5¾ match triumph.

They faced hosts Dorset in today's penultimate match.

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