OXFORDSHIRE’S challenge in the National Pairs Championship at Woking proved short-lived.

Headington’s John Philpott and Ian Snowdon beat Alen Wood and Bob Bass (Ashford, Middlesex) 23-18 in the first round.

But then the Oxon champions crashed out 23-6 to Eddie Smith and Dave Smith (Greenhill, Dorset) in round two.

Headington’s Nathan Lewis and Mark Charlett went out in the preliminary round 24-13 to Chippenham Town’s Dave Godwin and Paul MacDonald.

Kingston Bagpuize & Southmoor’s Steve Fraser and Peter Van De Mortel, representing Berkshire, bowed out at the same stage 22-14 to Greg Sampson and Colin Jacox (Avenue BC, Coventry).

Oxfordshire’s two sides in the Triples Championships also had early exits.

Headington’s Colin Whitehead, Lewis and Howard Watts defeated Duncan Wilson, Nigel Williams and Alec Atkinson (Manchester Commonwealth, Lancashire) 18-14 in round one.

But then the Oxfordshire champions bowed out 21-12 to Gerrards Cross’s John McGuiness, David Ross, Richard Reid.

Carterton’s Stuart Richens, Robert Clanfield and Baden Sparkes fell 16-14 in the first round to another Buckingshire side, David Labrum, Malcolm Drage and Gerry Smyth, from Bletchley Town.

There was also no joy for Banbury Borough’s Keith Holloway in the National Champion of Champions Singles competition.

He was brushed aside 21-7 by Matthew Coppen (Royston, Huntingdonshire) in the first round.

Coppen went on to capture the title, beating Cambridge & County’s Robert Drew 21-17 in the final.