Oxfordshire's luckless women suffered a fifth straight defeat at County Week yesterday – injury robbing them of any hope of victory.

They went into their final Group 5 match against Hereford & Worcester knowing only a win would keep them off bottom spot.

And with Claire Taylor turning out for the county hopes were high.

Taylor and Nadine Steward easliy won their opening match and were a set up in the second when Steward suffered a bad arm injury and was forced to concede the remaining matches.

Oxfordshire gave their opponents walkovers in the final round of matches, meaning the final 7-2 scoreline did not reflect how close the match was.

Oxfordshire’s men did have reason to celebrate, however.

They beat Isle of Man 6-3 in their final Group 7 clash, meaning they ended the week in sixth place in the bottom group.