Oxfordshire will be aiming to build on a promising start to their campaign in Division 1 of the Riley’s British Inter-Counties Championship this weekend when they take on Derbyshire at home.

Following a home draw against Dorset in their opening fixture, Oxon got off the mark by beating Staffordshire 19-17 away in their last outing to establish a place in mid-table.

Now they are looking to close the gap on Cornwall and Bedfordshire by beating a Derbyshire side that also won last time out.

Oxon’s ladies B, 6-0 winners against Staffs, are top of their section and remain un-changed, while the ladies A welcome back Deta Hedman.

She was unavailable last month because she was playing in the Czech Open, where she finished runner-up in the ladies’ singles.

The men’s A team, which includes recent Malta Open winner Mark Thomson, sees the return of Dennis Smith, while Andy Thomas and Wes Topley move up from the B side.

Martin Bull returns to the B team after several years’ absence and Dan Butler makes his debut after a good run in the Oxon Super League.

The games will be played at East Challow RBL and start midday on Saturday and 11.30am on Sunday.

OXON LINE-UPS Men’s A: N Cobb (Challow RBL, S Dutton, R Haines, P Hall, J Jukes (D & J Rentals), P Krabben, A Larner (McCleans Coaches), D Smith, A Thomas (100 Acres), M Thomson, W Topley, O Varney.

Men’s B: R Anderson (Fox & Hounds), M Bull, D Butler, P Fisher, S Foster (Three Tunsn), S Holly, G Manning (Sandvik Coromant), I Moss, J Palmer, B Stratford, N Russell, Kevin Wilkins (KW Flooring).

Reserves: P Addison (Bicester Beers & Minerals), M Breakspear, P Champ, P Cross, J Fowler, L Russell, S Skelton, S Tricker, K Young, K Sheppard, M Stocker (Witney Trophy Centre, Walsh Haulage, Smiths of Bloxham), T Tricker, T Wood.

Ladies A: Cali Birch, L Carroll, D Hedman, L Jones, J Newman (Duke of Cumberlands Head), K Williams.

Ladies B: Cath Birch, Sandra Cox, P Guy, K Ledbury, B Manning, I Richardson.

Reserves: T Blackman, N Curzon, R Dixon, K Howells, G Mathews, H Prowton (Spar Eynsham), S Wells.