The Essex Liberty Trophy dream has been shattered. At Melton Mowbray on Sunday they were beaten in the final 122-109 by a Lancashire team who literally snatched victory from the jaws of defeat.

Essex stormed into a six shot lead on the first end and were 24 ahead by the seventh.

At 15 ends they seemed to be coasting to victory but they appeared to lose sight of the frequently demonstrated ability of the Northerners to raise their game at the 11th hour.

Lancashire shifted up a gear and gradually the deficit was reduced. By the 18th end the scores were level and Essex were really beginning to struggle. Their shots were not coming off and they were not getting that all important rub of the green.

Much of the credit for Lancashire's victory went to the rink skipped by English International Noel Burrows. His four were losing 8-15 at the 15th end and ran out winners by 21-15 against Graham Pereira's quartet.

The last word went to Essex President John Langford who said: "The experience at this level has been good for us. Of course I am disappointed but I am also immensely proud of our players who have given of their best. Our day will come. We will be back and we will win the Liberty Trophy."

The rink scores (Essex names first) were: Frank Abbott, Steve Cooper, Scott Reading, Steve Pickford 21, B. Kitson 20; Andrew Squire, Ron Haslett, Richard Hart, Joe Stamper 12, J. Parkinson 20; Alan Dawson, Steve Mitchinson, Chris Bryan, John Tully 20, M. Leach 19; Paul Dawson, Steve Tucker, Tony Parker, Tony Nimmo 16, I. Mayne 21; Arthur Blackmore, Peter Ayling, Fred Dowding, David Gildersleve 25, A. Mayne 21; Peter Pereira, Dave Farr, Jamie Holmes, Graham Pereira 15, N. Burrows 21.

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