OXFORDSHIRE leapt to the top of the table with a resounding 26-10 victory over Nottinghamshire in Division 1 of the BDO Inter Counties Championship.

By collecting an additional three bonus points, Oxon went 23 points clear on a weekend when their match at Bicester was the only fixture in the division to beat the freezing wintry weather.

Although all their closest rivals have a game in hand, this result is a tremendous boost to the county’s chances of securing promotion back to the top flight.

Things did not start promisingly for Oxon as they lost the first two legs of the opening Ladies B match.

But Carol Smith, Cali Birch and lady of the match Cath Birch put the hosts 3-2 ahead, before the visitors took the last game to earn a 3-3 draw.

Oxon’s men’s B team, fresh from their stunning 11-1 win in the previous match against Cornwall, proved it was no fluke by repeating the scoreline.

Josh McCarthy was their man of the match with a great average of 28.37, while other successes came from Dan Smith, Andy Quinn, Pete Smith, Aaron Stevens, Shane Turner, Simon Key, Simon Tricker, Steve Dennett, Andy Thomas and Mark Burns.

This resounding success gave Oxon an overnight 14-4 lead.

Their ladies A team built on this commanding position with a convincing 5-1 success.

Wins came from Kim Ledbury, Jaine Telling, lady-of-the-match Deta Hedman, Sandra Cox and Gina Freshwater, whose success sealed a home victory even before the men’s A took to the stage.

Every extra point they gained was a massive bonus for the county.

In the event, the men’s A team won 7-5, man-of-the-match Sean Holley starting the ball rolling with a 4-1 success with 28.56.

Other victories came from birthday boy Keith Bedding, Stephen Wright, Lee Russell, Pete Hall, Geordie Grant and Tom Baughan as Oxon romped to a great win.

Their next game will be away to Northamptonshire on March 24-25.