DESPITE a determined fightback, Oxfordshire were pipped 19-17 by hosts Durham in their opening BDO Inter-County Championship Division 1 match at Crook.

Relegated from the Premier Division, Oxon trailed 12-6 after the first day, but their A team dominated the second day and just failed to pull off an unlikely win.

On the first day, Oxon Ladies B drew 3-3 thanks to wins from Hazel Prowton, Laura Ross and player-of-the-match Belinda Grant, who averaged 17.89.

Their men’s B team were outplayed, and it took to the eighth game before Ian Moss (28.90) gained the first point. This was followed by further victories from Adam Bowman and Brendan Kearns in a 9-3 defeat, leaving the visitors trailing by six points.

Oxon Ladies A pulled them back into the contest with a splendid 5-1 success.

Wins came from Casey Gallagher (20.88), Kim Ledbury (18.77), Deta Hedman (21.47), Rebecca Rose (20.01) and Sandra Cox (17.60).

Belinda Grant (18.96) narrowly missed out on a second win of the weekend, going down 3-2.

Trailing only 13-11, Oxon pulled level when Ian Moss (24.80) with his second point in two days, and man-of-the-match Jon Jukes (30.52), both triumphed.

It was nip and tuck now. Oxon went behind, but victories from Ade Larner (25.54), Sean Holley (27.22) and Josh McCarthy (27.46) put them in front for the first time.

After Durham levelled, Dennis Smith (25.69) made it 17-16 to Oxfordshire.

In the next game, Stephen Wright (25.86), on his A team debut, lost 4-3 to BDO player Dave Prinz.

A relieved Durham took the last two games to deny Oxon a famous comeback success.

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