OXFORDSHIRE crashed to a heavy 132-103 defeat against Surrey in their opening Home Counties League clash at Banbury Borough BC.

It saw Oxon pick up just three points, while Surrey collected 19.

Mark Sykes' four of Lee Young, Nathan Lewis and Stuart Richens provided Oxon's only winning rink as they stretched away over the last six ends to beat Barry Martin's side 17-12.

Les Campion's line-up of Paul McGrath, Melvyn Brain and Gordon Roper battled their way to a 21-21 draw against Ian Ross.

But there were defeats for skips Alan Ley, Baden Sparkes, Calvin Carpenter and Robin Hewson.

Sparkes' four of Mick Nash, Russell Edwards and Mervyn Gleeson led 18-15 after 15 ends, but then failed to chalk up another shot as Andy Dawkins's side ran out 23-18 winners.

Hewson and teammates Darren St John, Steve Gibson and Glyn Coggan were also up - 14-13 - after 15 ends.

However, they fell away badly over the last six ends as Eamon O'Flynn's four clinched a 24-16 win.

Ley's line-up of Spencer Townsend, Will Campion and Mike Petersen went down 25-18 to skip Nathan Beeson.

But the heaviest defeat was reserved for Carpenter's crew of Keith Holloway, Norman Rae and Steve Jones, who were sunk 27-13 by Paul Chuter.