WILTSHIRE'S hopes of regaining the inter-county matchplay title at South West Week were ended by a second successive defeat today.

Dave Bauer's side, the national champions for the last two years, suffered an afternoon foursomes whitewash against Cornwall to see any hopes of regaining the crown they last won in 2011 fall by the wayside.

Wiltshire were in pole position with three of the five rounds gone, but saw their chances first hit the buffers with a surprise defeat to winless Devon yesterday.

Bauer's men needed a handsome victory over Cornwall and for Devon to lose out to Gloucestershire, but despite a strong start in their own encounter, they subsided in the afternoon while Devon wrapped up the title.

Wins for Ali James (Cumberwell Park), Ben Amor (Marlborough), Ben Hayward (Cumberwell Park), Chris Stewart (Broome Manor), Robbie Busher (Salisbury & South Wilts) gave Bauer's men a 5-3 advantage from the morning singles.

But none of their four foursomes pairings were able to register a point in the afternoon, Cornwall overhauling the deficit to win 9-5.

It meant more disappointment for Wiltshire after their hopes of going for a hat-trick of national titles in September were ended in the regional qualifier on Tuesday, although the victory of England amateur star Jordan Smith in the South West Amateur Championship provided some consolation.

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