The Herefordshire short mat bowls ‘A’ team have completed a successful qualifying campaign to top their regional group of the Inter County Championship.

After a flying start, when they gained back to back wins against local rivals Gloucestershire, and a home win against Worcestershire, their progress was interrupted by successive away defeats.

They first suffered a narrow defeat in the return match against Worcestershire, before being beaten in Solihull by a strong West Midlands side who seemed, at that point, to be heading for victory in the group.

Herefordshire, however, were not in the mood to relinquish top spot and, in their final match, the home leg against West Midlands, they produced a convincing 26-14 victory to overhaul their opponents and top the group.

They now progress as group winners to the knockout stages of the competition in February.