Oxfordshire got off the mark in their second game of the Riley's British Inter-Counties Chamnpionships Division 1 campaign away to Staffordshire.

It followed a home draw against Dorset and gives them a place in mid-table.

Although Oxon were delighted to break their duck, a disappointing defeat for the men’s A team meant they made hard work of victory.

The weekend got off to a great start at the White Eagle Club in Stafford on Saturday, with the ladies B winning 6-0.

Irene Richardson led the way with an average of 17.75 and there were other victories for Kim Ledbury, Cath Birch, Sandra Cox, Babs Manning and Paulette Guy.

The men’s B put in a far stronger team performance than last month, winning 7-5 thanks to Andy Thomas, Graham Manning, Barry Stratford, Pete Fisher, Kevin Wilkins, Nigel Russell and man-of-the-match Wes Topley (27.33 average).

Ian Moss was unlucky on his debut, losing to England international Les Capewell, but nevertheless, Oxon moved on to Sunday 13-5 up.

Their ladies A drew 3-3, with wins coming via lady-of- the-match Linda Jones (18.18), Karen Williams and Louise Carroll, which made the score 16-8 and left the visitors needing three more points to take the match.

And the men’s A team struggled to get them, losing the first two games before Ade Larner made it 17-10.

Oxon then lost the next five games, Preben Krabben going down 3-2 despite a 29.78 average, before Nick Cobb stopped the rot.

That was followed by a victory from man-of-the-match Stuart Dutton (27.33) which sealed the verdict.

Two further defeats followed to make the final score 19-17, Oxon picking up three bonus points.