OXFORDSHIRE began 2019 in style as they won 23-16 at Gwent in the BDO Inter-Counties Championship.

The result moved them to within a point of their sixth-placed hosts in Division 1.

Stars of the show were the Men’s B team, who claimed a 9-3 success.

It included a run of six straight wins from Liam Gregor, Brandon Richardson, Dan Smith, Simon Tricker, Andrew Quinn and Simon Key.

Andrew Tompkins, man-of-the-match Steve Dennett and Darren Hammond were also victorious.

That gave the visitors a strong position after day one, following a 3-3 draw in the Ladies’ B match, where lady-of-the-match Gina Freshwater, Sue Burns and Babara Manning were successful.

Katrina Blackman was Oxon’s only winner as Gwent hit back with a 5-1 triumph in the Ladies’ A.

But Lennon Cradock steadied the ship at the start of the Men’s A match.

Stephen Wright, Michael Kearns and man-of-the-match Pete Halls edged them closer to the winning line.

And victory was sealed with three wins on the bounce from Kevin Lowe, Adam Bowman and Preben Krabben.

Their next match is at home to Cornwall on February 9-10.