Even a power cut could not prevent Oxfordshire recording a surprise 19-17 victory over Gwent in Division 1 of the BDO Inter-County Championship over the weekend.

All 36 matches had to be crammed into Sunday, after a power cut put the Bicester Ex-Serviceman’s Club in Sheep Street out of action on Saturday, when the B team contests were due to be played.

It turned out all right for Oxfordshire, who secured an upset victory against their third-placed opponents to ease their position near the bottom of the table.


Although Oxon remain second from bottom, the win means they have closed the gap to the teams above them.

When play eventually started on Sunday, Oxfordshire’s Ladies B team came out on top winning 4-2 with victories from lady-of-the-match Cath Birch, Katrina Blackman, Sue Burns and Angie Godfray.

The Ladies A side conjured up a draw with wins from Clare Bywaters (24.64), Carol Smith (16.70) and world championship runner-up Deta Hedman, who averaged an impressive 27.33.

The Men’s B side extended Oxon’s lead with an 8-4 success.

Their victories came from from Antony Barrett, David Fowler, Adam Bowman, man-of-the-match Neal Russell (26.37), John Russell, Joe Palmer, Simon Key and Darren Hammond.

The men’s A took to the stage and came unstuck against a strong Gwent, losing 8-4.

Their only wins came from Ade Larner, man-of-the-match Preben Krabben (27.69), Kevin Lowe and Sean Holley.

But this could not stop Oxon scrambling to a narrow victory.

The Oxfordshire committee praised their team for the support and help over the tough weekend.