Oxfordshire had to settle for fourth place, despite producing some excellent displays during Ladies County Week on Frilford Heath's Blue Course.

The host county won one of their four matches to finish one place higher than last year, but so many of the contests went to the 18th hole that they could easily have come higher During the week, Oxfordshire colours were attained by thev outstanding Sam Round (Tadmarton), Narelle Ives (Wirney) and 15-year-old Katherine 0'Connor (Tadmarton).

Oxon started with a 5-4 victory over Berkshire.

This was thanks to foursomes wins for Round and rookie Tilly Holder (Oxford Ladies), and Ives and Martine Summers (Oxford Ladies), plus singles successes by Round, Jane Binning (Frilford) and Ives.

In the next match against Bucks, Oxon won only foursomes through Justine Lawrence and Binning, but they came storming back in the singles through Round, O'Connor and Lawrence to be edged out 5-4.

After a rest day, Oxon went down 5-3 to Hampshire. Round and O'Connor won their foursomes while Round and Holder collected singles points and O'Connor snatched a half.

Oxon lost the final match 6-3 to Hertfordshire, their wins coming from the pairing of Holder and Ali Kelly, and the singles of Conno.

Two halved matches completed the host county's tally.