SOME brilliant darts from Clare Bywaters was the rare bright spot as a depleted Oxfordshire side crashed 24-12 to Warwickshire in their BDO Inter-Counties Championship Premier Division match at Bicester over the weekend.

Bywaters, from Wantage, produced a superb average of 24.64 – the best by a woman in the Premier Division this week – to help the Oxon A team draw 3-3 with their visitors.

The hosts’ other wins came from Sandra Cox and Rebecca Rose.

Oxon’s ladies’ B team also secured a draw in their contest, with wins from Karen Hill, Belinda Grant and lady of the match Tasha Borton (20.59) But it proved a disastrous weekend for the county’s men’s teams.

In the men’s B contest, they went down 8-4, with their victories coming from Andy Thomas, Joe Palmer, John Newland and man of the match Paddy Kearns.

The result was still in the balance with Warwickshire narrowly leading 14-10 at the start of the men’s A contest.

Oxon soon found themselves 3-0 down before Kevin Lowe took their first point.

The visitors grabbed the next points before Oxon’s man of the match Josh McCarthy (27.62) won his game.

But they did not win another match as Warwicks Men’s A romped home 10-2.

The result leaves Oxon bottom of the table after two matches. Clearly some work has to be done be fore their game at home to Essex next month.