There were mixed fortunes for Oxfordshire players in the NASUWT English Schools Championships at Trentham, Staffordshire on Monday.

Katherine O'Connor, 15, a Frilford Heath junior and pupil at Warriner School, Bloxham, recorded a creditable tenth place in the girls' competition.

And there was also good news for her 16-year-old county colleague Giverny Porter (Chipping Norton and Millfield School), despite being forced to pull out through illness.

But Henry Box School pupil and Witney Lakes member Gareth Woodward, 18, had a day to forget in the boys' section.

O'Connor who is both Oxfordshire and South of England Schools champion, carded an 80 in the morning.

However, a 77 after lunch, which included six birdies, saw her climb to tenth.

English Schools Golf Association secretary Paul Johnson said: "This was her first national competition and she was playing against people up to 18-years-old.

"She had a disappointing morning round, but conducted herself really well."

This meant O'Connor just failed to qualify for the English Schools team to play their Scottish counterparts on September 19.

But she still has a good chance of making her England debut along with Porter against Wales at Moseley, in the Midlands, on August 31.

Katie Thompson and Hannah Barwood, who finished first and second respectively on Monday, automatically make the team of four.

Porter has been selected as the third player, while the fourth spot will go to the winner of the English Schools Under 16 Championships at Leighton Buzzard on July 18.

Both Thompson and Barwood will play at Leighton Buzzard, so third could be good enough for O'Connor.

Johnson said: "Katherine has a better than average chance of making it.

"In fact two 77s at Trentham would have seen her qualify for the Scotland match. She was only three shots off selection."

Johnson added: "Giverny was the south west champion at Tewskesbury.

"As a champion, although she was unable to compete on Monday, the selectors still felt she deserved the opportunity to compete in an international."

Woodward retired through injury during his afternoon round after carding 89 in the morning.