OXFORDSHIRE fought back from a disastrous first day to draw 18-18 with Cleveland in a thrilling BDO Inter-Counties Championship Division 1 match at Bicester over the weekend.

However, the result means that Oxon have been knocked off the top of the table.

After Saturday’s B team match Oxon trailed 12-6.

That defcit was wiped out by a superb effort from the Oxon ladies A team, who completed a 6-0 whitewash.

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They were led by Clare Bywaters, whose average of 24.24 surpassed that of the renowned Deta Hedman.

The scoreline was now 12-12 going into the Men’s A games.

Dennis Smith unluckily lost with a 27.84 average, but Oxford hit back a super display from the in-form Stephen Wright.

Ade Larner then scraped another win, before Nick Cobb put Oxfordshire 15-14 ahead.

The next two points went to Cleveland before stunning victories from both Preben Krabben and Sean Holley, who celebrated his 30th birthday with a man-of-the-match award for his 33.48 average.

Paddy Kearns’s 4-0 win took Oxon within a point of winning, but they lost the last two games to allow Cleveland to snatch a draw.

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