County suffer heavy defeat OXFORDSHIRE were on the end of a thumping 33-7 defeat at the hands of Warwickshire in their third English Short Mat Association Inter County Competition clash.

The writing was on the wall from an early stage for an under-strength Oxon, after they lost all the opening matches.

Although the triple of Mick Alder, Ray Claridge and Paul Skidmore did record their first victory, they were always behind.

Helen Skidmore, Mick Evans, Matthew Edwards and Bridget Evans also triumphed in their first fours match, while Betty Dibley, Les Woodward and Bob Barnard drew to leave Oxon 11-5 behind at the half-way stage.

Things then got even worse with Trevor Brown's single success the only victory in the second round of matches as Oxon went down 214-136 on shots.

Oxfordshire need to bounce back well in their remaining matches to keep alive any hopes of finishing top of their group.

SCORES

Singles: T Brown (Didcot Con Club) lost 12-15, won 18-9; N Davies (Didcot Con Club) lost 9-16, lost 7-19.

Pairs: M Davies (Benson) & D Wiggins (Wootton) lost 9-16, lost 8-18; M Keevil (Wallingford) & B Cummings (Wootton) lost 8-22, lost 9-16.

Triples: M Alder (West Witney), R Claridge (Wootton) & P Skidmore (West Witney) won 13-5, lost 6-18; B Dibley (Aston), L Woodward (Warborough) & B Barnard (Harwell) drew 9-9, lost 7-13.

Fours: M Street (Harwell), T Mills (Grove), D Sims (Chieveley) & E Street (Harwell) lost 5-10, lost 4-8; H Skidmore (West Witney), M Evans (Stanford), M Edwards (Stanford) & B Evans (Stanford) won 8-6, lost 4-14.