Oxon came away from Gwent with a 22-17 victory which lifts them to fifth in Division 1 of the Inter-Counties League.

After Saturday's matches, Oxon were 10-8 ahead, and they held on despite a fightback from the home side.

The ladies B team got the visitors off to another cracking start with a 5-1 win which puts them top of their section.

Irene Richardson (21.27) took lady-of-the-match in the opening game, and other victories came from Babs Manning (17.48), Shirley Castle - returning to the county after a break of nearly 20 years - Nicola Curzon and Sandra Cox.

The men's B side were unable to keep up the momentum, going down 7-5. Their victors were man-of-the-match Phil Addison (25.41), Paul Cohen, Mark Stocker, Tony Leone and Steve Foster.

Facing a strong Gwent ladies A team, which included recently-crowned World Cup singles champion Jan Robbins, Oxon managed a well-deserved 3-3 draw, with all the games going with the throw.

Oxon's winners were Julie Newman, Linda Jones and lady-of-the-match Becca Rose (22.31).

So, with the score standing at 13-11 to Oxon, it was down to the men's A team to cement victory.

Wins came from Ade Larner, Olly Varney (26.37), Kit Young, man-of-the-match Jon Jukes (27.49) as all the games went against the throw right up until the tenth, when Gwent drew level at 17-17.

However, Oxon were not to be denied, as first, Wes Topley (25.91), and then a bull finish from Ronnie Anderson (26.91) in the fifth leg, sealed it 19-17.

Three bonus points took the overall match score to 22-17.