After a promising start, Oxon 2nd are still looking for their first victory after being pipped 8-7 by Sussex 3rd in Division 3C of the Inter-County Championships.

Playing at The Park Sports Centre at Holton, Oxon moved swiftly into a 3-1 lead when Dave Andrew, Heather Booth and Kathryn Schutterlin won their singles. The men's and ladies doubles were halved 4-4.

Paul Casey and Simon Alexander won their two for Oxon, as did first women's pairing Schutterlin and Nicola Torgersen, but neither second pair could add to this.

Leading 7-5 going into the mixed doubles, Oxon lost all three in close games. Casey and Torgersen went down 21-17, 21-18, Alexander and Amy Gilder 22-20, 21-16, and Andrew and Booth 21-16, 21-16.

In the veterans county fixtures, Oxon Over 40s won 10-2 against Worcestershire, but lost 10-2 to Cheshire.

The two successes against Cheshire came from the pairings of Nicola Casey and Jackie Youlet, and Adam King partnering Wendy Jones.

Oxon Over 55s won a 6-6 draw on points' aggregate against Bucks with Pete Falle unbeaten. They lost 10-2 to Essex.

The wins came from Sue Jelfs with Judy McCairns and Pete Falle with newcomer Charlie White.

Pat Edginton and Henry Mo shone as Leys A outstripped Evenlode A 5-4 in Men's Division 2 of the Oxford and District League.

Evenlode paid the penalty for sending just two pairs.

OXFORD LEAGUE RESULTS.

Women's - Div 1: Abingdon 5, Oxford Brookes 4; Abingdon 4, North Abingdon 5. Div 3: Harwell 4, The Park 5.

Men's - Div 1: The Park A 1, Gosford Hill A 8; Abingdon A 5, North Abingdon 4. Div 2: Oxford A 3, Windrush B 1; Leys A 5, Evenlode A 4. Div 3: Windrush B 2, Didcot Power B 7; Oxford University 5, Evenlode B 4.

Mixed - Div 1: Gosford Hill A 9, Abingdon Å 0; Gosford Hill A 7, Windrush A 2. Div 2: Abingdon B 8, Gosford Hill B 1. Div 3: Oxford 8, Didcot Power 1; Harwell 1, Leys B 8.