Oxfordshire finished in style to win 20-16 at Gwent and get their Rileys British Inter County Championship Division 1 title bid back on track.

Leaders Oxon hit the buffers on their previous outing when they went down 23-13 away to Hampshire.

And the clash at Hafodyrynys RFC, Crumlin (Newport) was in the balance with the two sides locked together at 16-16 with four games of the men’s A encounter remaining.

But then Oxon responded like potential champions with Nick Cobb, man-of-the-match Dennis Smith (34.16 average), Ian Moss and Kevin Wilkins reeling off the last four games.

It gave the men’s A team an 8-4 success following earlier wins by Preben Krabben (27.86), Stuart Dutton (28.90), Kirk Shepherd (29.40) and Jon Jukes (28.36).

And with Oxon picking up three bonus points, it saw them extend their lead at the top to 16 points.

The weekend hadn’t started well for Oxon with the ladies B team losing 5-1.

Lady-of-the-match Jane Jenkins (15.44) took the first game, but her teammates suffered from missed doubles as they slid to defeat.

The men’s B team then won 7-5 to leave Oxon trailing 10-8.

Lee Russell set them on the way, before under 21s team captain Dean Lockyer made a winning debut for the senior side.

Phil Addison, Pete Hall (25.68), Graham Manning (24.46), man-of-the-match Stuart White (27.94) and Sean Holley were Oxon’s other winners.

The ladies A team brought Oxon level at 12-12 on Sunday with a 4-2 win. Linda Jones (19.27), Babs Manning, lady-of-the-match Deta Hedman (25.95) and Leanne Jennings were on target for Oxon.

The Oxon men’s A team then rose to the occasion to secure a fine victory.

OXFORDSHIRE Youth take on Middlesex at Rileys Pool & Snooker Club, Cowley, on Sunday (12noon).

OXON TEAM

Under 18: S Smith (capt), M Burns, J Lucas, M Clarke, J Carter, D Mobey, S Allmond, S Wright, A Scott, J Bumpass, R Bull, L Stallwood.

Under 21 ladies: C Adams (capt), K Moore, L Daniels, M Lockyer.

Under 21 men: D Lockyer (capt), S Cooper, K Smith, A Cox, S Lewis, L Bower, G Bishop, T Baughan.