Following rain throughout the night and all day, Met Office reports dictated unfavourable weather conditions, which would have made play dangerous. The decision was made to cancel the afternoons singles matches.

In the mornings foursomes Yorkshire's Emma Duggleby and Naomi Edwards won 5&4, in the second match Rachel Bell and Kiran Matharu won 4&3. The experienced Kerry Smith and Chris Quinn beat Cheryl and Michelle Smith 4&2.

Gloucestershire also took two points in the foursomes. Hannah Barwood and Charlotte Ellis won 4&3 and Sharon Heeley and Sian James finally winning their close match on the 18th against Sharon's ELGA Development Officer colleague Kirstie Jennings and her partner Kelly Hanwell.

Yorkshireýs captain Ann Thomas said: "It's been a super week but it is disappointing we can't take the competition to the conclusion. We are delighted to have successfully defended the title, the course has been excellent".

The team of eight were presented with Hillbilly trolleys and all the players are very pleased. Ann has kindly offered to raffle the ninth at Yorkshires AGM for their Counties training charity.

The Gloucestershire team are disappointed not to have had the chance to contest the title but in good spirit Jenny May the captain said: "Well done Yorkshire".

Day 2 - Gloucestershire and Yorkshire draw - it's all to play for on the last day. Gloucester and Yorkshire had a close days battle in the English County Championship at Brancepeth Castle Golf Club.

Yorkshire won two of the morning foursome points, following a 3 down fight back by Hannah Barwood and Charlotte Ellis (Gloucestershire), who were all square going down the 18th when Yorkshires' Cheryl and Michelle Smith won with a four for the second point of the day. Sharon Heeley and Sian James took the final point for Gloucestershire winning 3&2.

In the singles Jo Hodge was one up going down the 18th, her 7ft putt lipped out to halve the match with Rachel Bell. Emma Duggleby and Kiran Matharu took the next two points and the final three matches all finished 4&2 for Gloucestershire.

Gloucestershire captain Jenny May said; "It's been tight all day and could have gone either way at any point, the team have really pulled together, it's a great result, we are all very pleased".

Hampshire beat Northamptonshire 6-3 having won two of the foursome matches and taking four of the singles matches. Sarah Carter (Northamptonshire County GC) had a hole in one on the tricky 200 yard 9th hole with an 8 iron.

It's all to play for on Friday 9th September, the last day, when Gloucestershire play Northamptonshire and Yorkshire play Hampshire