Kingsbridge Park's Tina Thomas and the Devon ladies' team suffered a second successive final defeat in the Bowls England John's Trophy when they were beaten by Lincolnshire 110-99 at Royal Leamington Spa, writes Tony Atkins.

Twelve months after losing to Sussex, the 24-strong Devon team were understandably buoyant after beating Cambridgeshire 134-95 in the morning semi-finals, but their 22-year wait to regain the inter-county trophy goes on.

Tina Thomas was unlucky to lose both her matches on the final day. In the semi-final the Kingsbridge player went down to Jayne Christie (Cambs) 22-24 before losing by the narrowest of margins once more, this time to Lin Mountain (Lincs) 14-16 in the final.

But Thomas was in good company with England international Melmore also losing both her matches. Melmore was just a year old when Devon last won the trophy.

Results. Bowls England John's Trophy. Final: Devon lost to Lincolnshire 99-110 (Devon names first): Cassidy Lenton (Bitton Park), Liz Lock (Torbay), Ruth Rogers, Natalie Melmore (Kings) lost to Cath Smith 15-20; Jan Roberts (Madeira), Terri Kennard (Newton Abbot), Jenny Dawson (Topsham), Sharon Parnell (Plymouth City Bus) drew with Amy Gowshall 20-20; Jean Chudley (Topsham), Hilary Avent (Plymouth SFD), Margaret Arscott (North Tawton), Liz Smerdon (Madeira) bt Olive Wells 21-15; Jackie H'Anthony (Barnstaple), Liz Healy (Madeira), Julia Barnes (Newton Abbot), Sue Evans (Honiton) lost to Penny Strong 11-22; Val Davies (Torbay), Christina Woollacott (Tiverton WE), Barbara Bellamy (Newton Abbot), Tina Thomas (Kingsbridge Park) lost to Lin Mountain 14-16; Muriel Scott, Joan Martin (Crediton), Kay Page (Plymouth SFD), Nikki Payne (Morchard Bishop) bt Jill Edson 18-17. Results. MDL. Premier Division: Kings A bt Torquay 101-65 (12-2pts); Kingsteignton bt Shaldon 72-71 (12-2pts); Torbay CC A bt Dawlish 89-78 (12-2pts); Torquay A bt Newton Abbot A 84-72 (10-4pts); Kings A bt Newton Abbot A 87-71 (12-2pts).

Division 1: Totnes A bt Abbrook Park 85-64 (12-2pts); Abbrook Park bt Paignton Torbay A 90-77 (14-0pts); Marldon A bt Brixham A 92-64 (14-0pts); Paignton A bt Totnes A 99-78 (10-4pts).

Division 2: Brixham St Mary bt Bitton Park B 90-77 (12-2pts); Starcross bt The Den 96-58 (12-2pts); Dartmouth bt Bitton Park B 82-55 (14-0pts); The Den bt Kingsbridge 101-78 (10-4pts); Dawlish Marina bt Brixham St Mary's 96-71 (10-4pts); Bitton Park B bt Kings B 83-77 (8-6pts). Division 3: Victoria A bt Chudleigh 83-82 (10-4pts); Torquay B bt Torbay CC C 95-68 (14-0pts); Chudleigh bt Paignton B 83-63; Upton Park A bt Torbay CC B 89-81 (10-4pts). Division 4: Paignton Torbay B bt Babbacombe B 71-67 (12-2pts); Marldon B bt Buckfast B 94-74 (14-0pts); Brixham bt Torbay CC D 87-69 (10-4pts); Buckfastleigh B bt Babbacombe C 100-65 (14-0pts); Babbacombe C bt Victoria B 71-69 (10-4pts); Babbacombe B bt Buckfastleigh B 78-76 (10-4pts).