Oxfordshire face their biggest test of the season when they take on the might of Yorkshire in their Premier Division match at Rileys Oxford this weekend (January 28-29).

After a great start to their campaign, which sees Oxon in third spot, they will have their mettle tested by the star-studded reigning champions, who are also leading the way this season.

“This will be a true test as to how far we have come, against the best darts team in the country,” said Oxfordshire player Graham Manning.

The Yorkshire team will include former Grand Slam of Darts winner Scott Waites, ex-world champion John ‘Boy’ Walton and BDO world championship finalists Martin Atkins, Gary Thompson, Dean Winstanley and Lorraine Farlam.

Oxfordshire’s ladies A will include world championship runner-up Deta Hedman, while Oxford & District Summer League champion Kim Ledbury retains her place after stepping up from the B team to face Hampshire.

The ladies B sees Belinda Grant retain her place.

The men’s A team will be without their big name, Dennis Smith, who is competing in a PDC event in Spain.

Although he is named in the reserves, he will not play.

Coming into the A team are the in-form Ian Moss and Lee Russell.

The men’s B team welcome back Roger Haines and Damien Kidd, while Dion Newman makes his debut in what could be a baptism of fire.

Keith Bedding returns to the squad as a reserve.

The games will be played at Rileys Club, Between Towns Road, Cowley, and will start at noon on Saturday and 11 am on Sunday.

OXON TEAMS.

Men’s A: N Cobb, S Dutton (Vauxhall Kidlington), P Hall (GWRSA Club Didcot), J Jukes, P Krabben, A Larner, K Lowe, I Moss, J Palmer, L Russell, K Shepherd, S White. Men’s B: P Addison, A Barrett, R Haines, D Kidd, M Leather, E Lilly, G Manning (Sandvik Coromant), D Newman, J Russell, A Stevens, A Thomas (ACG Labels), K Wilkins (KW Flooring).

Reserves: R Anderson, C Aubrey, K Bedding, M Lavarack, G Lewis, J Mulley, D Smith, S Wright.

Ladies A: F Carmichael, D Hedman, L Jennings, L Jones, K Ledbury, K Williams.

Ladies B: Cath Birch, S Cox, N Curzon, B Grant, J Newman (Duke of Cumberland’s Head), B Manning.

Reserves: Cali Birch, K Dutton, D Lewis, T Price.