Oxfordshire tasted defeat for the first time this season in Division 1 of Rileys British Inter-Counties Championship at the weekend.

After two successive victories, they were pipped 19-17 by Derbyshire at Chesterfield, but still remain top of the table, level on points with Hampshire.

Oxon got off to a good start on Saturday, with the ladies B team winning 4-2 thanks to Kim Ledbury, Nicola Curzon, Kelly Dutton and lady-of-the-match Babs Manning (19.19 average).

Derbyshire levelled the match by taking the first two men’s B games.

Pete Hall (25.47) stopped the rot, but Derbyshire grabbed the next before Lee Russell (24.64) reduced the arrears Further wins from Ade Larner (26.65) and man-of-the-match Stuart White (27.83), on his debut, made it all square at 8-8.

Graham Manning put Oxon in front, but defeat in the last game meant the match was tied at 9-9.

The following day, Oxon’s ladies A team put in a another good performance, but were matched all the way by the home side in a 3-3 draw.

Oxon’s winners were lady-of-the-match Deta Hedman (24.24), Karen Williams (21.47) and Leanne Jennings (21.83).

So, with the score poised at 12-12, it was all down to the men’s A teams.

Oxon’s Preben Krabben (25.51), playing his first game of the season, opened up with a win, but Derbyshire took the next four until Andy Thomas pulled one back.

Derbyshire captured the next two before Jon Jukes (26.30) halted the slide.

However, the home county sealed overall victory in the next, leaving Nick Cobb and man-of-the-match Dennis Smith (26.72) to take the last two as consolations.

Meanwhile, Oxon’s Smith and Deta Hedman are through to the finals of the PDC World Championship and BDO world Championship respectively.