Gloucestershire lost to Glamorgan in possibly the most astonishing match ever played in the Channel League to throw this season's competition wide open.

After leading 5-0 in the morning foursomes at Chipping Sodbury, victory looked a mere formality.

Wins in just three of the 10 singles were required to maintain a 100 per cent record and keep their tag as title-favourites.

But, amazingly, they lost eight matches, to succumb 8-7.

Shell-shocked captain Nigel Thompson said "I'm speechless. That result has never happened to me or any team I have played in.

"It was just one of those afternoons where nothing went our way."

It looked promising when the consistent Andy Rudge (Bristol & Clifton) won the second singles match. But the next win only came five games later when Rich Carter (Lansdown) triumphed 4 and 3.

This left the home side requiring one win from the final three matches on the course, but both Nick Day (Henbury) and Thompson lost 2 and 1.

It didn't look promising in the anchor match as home man Andy Hale was two down with two holes to play against Brent O'Neil. He won the 17th and shaved the hole with a 10-foot birdie putt on the last that would have halved the day.

Cornwall have now been brought into the mix and it is a three-way battle at the top. It makes Gloucestershire's next match against Cornwall at Perranporth on September 13 crucial.