Youth matches

Oxfordshire Under 18 girls were disappointed with their final County Championship games, losing 2-1 to Berkshire and drawing 0-0 with Bucks.

Oxon opened brightly against Berkshire, forcing a sucession of short corners, before Berkshire scored in the 15th minute.

Berkshire then gained the initiative and pressed hard but solid defending from Kate Murphy and Bonnie Sherbourne, as well as a brilliant goalmouth clearance from Emma Hedges, gave Oxon hope.

In the second half, Oxon played some skilful passing hockey and desevedly drew level with an inspired drag flick from Emily Malden.

However, it was Berkshire who stole the points with a goal in the last minute.

In the second game, Oxon dominated against Bucks but could not convert their chances. Katie Merrick and Katrina Mason caused the Bucks defence problems, but despite all their pressure, Oxon could not find the target.

Oxon U18 squad: C Andrewes, K Mason, K Dolan, L Harris, C Barker, E Malden, K Merrick, E Hedges, B Sherbourne, K Murphy, L Wingfield-Digby, A Cookson.

Oxon Under 13 boys began their Championship season with an excellent display against Surrey - one of the strongest counties in the country - at St Edward's, but went down 3-1.

Oxon went ahead with a well-taken goal by centre forward Tim Hardy.

Surrey came back to level the scores, but with Charles Couper and John Billington dominating midfield for Oxon, there was all to play for at half-time.

After the interval, Surrey scored a breakaway solo goal, and it took an excellent save by Nicholas Crow from a rocket shot to keep Oxon in the game.

Wingers Simon Toms and William Parmiter caused the Surrey defence problems, but Surrey made sure of victory with their third goal in the dying seconds.