OXFORDSHIRE’S Under 18 side got their season off to a superb start – making history in the process.

A 12-8 victory over pre-season favourites Buckinghamshire at Milton Keynes was the perfect way to kick off their Shires League campaign.

The result is all the more impressive because no Oxon junior team has beaten a Bucks side for more than ten years.

Ethan Rose, James Moreton-Smith, Christian Mitchell, Luke Backley, Maisie Boyd, Bronwynn Ready, Safia Khimji, Hannah Craig and Maisie Marriott were the victorious team.

However, there was no such joy for the county’s under 16 side, who lost 17-3 against Berkshire at St Helen and St Katharine School, Abingdon.

Rose, Charlie Driver, Albie Marriott, Sammi Proctor, Maddy Cook, Holly Craig, Rebecca Norkett and Hannah Hayes battled bravely but were out-played.

Oxfordshire Under 12s lost 12-8 at Milton Keynes in a friendly clash against Bucks.

There were also some notable individual performances at tournaments around the country.

The pick of the bunch came at the under 13 gold tournament at Lilleshall where Ben Horseman picked up a gold medal in the boys doubles partnering Dillon Chong (Berkshire) to 21-18 21-12 win over the No 1 seeds from Surrey.

Jason Ou won silver in the boys’ singles – his first major tournament at this level.

He was beaten 21-12, 19-21, 21-14 in the final by Edward Davey (Bucks).

Maisie Marriott picked up a bronze medal after reaching the semi-finals of the Kent Under 19 bronze tournament, held in Gillingham, losing out to Holly Smith (Essex) 21-9 21-9.