Oxfordshire produced one of the strongest ever displays to come from behind to defeat London 19-17 in their opening Division 1 match of the campaign at Wandsworth.

Stars of the show were the Oxon men’s A team, who with the county trailing 13-11, pulled off a stunning 8-4 success against their powerful opponents.

Andy Thomas, with an average of 26.44, started the fightback before further wins from before Nick Cobb (30.67), Joe Palmer (26.41), and Kevin Wilkins (27.44) took Oxon into the lead.

Then Dennis Smith, making a return to the side, triumphed with a super average of 31.98.

London hit back before Ollie Varney (26.85) playing in his 250th game, put Oxon 17-16 up.

Jon Jukes dropped the next game.

But Mark Thomson (28.01) beat England international Steve Douglas, and Stuart Dutton (30.77) took the last leg to snatch victory and the three bonus points.

This was one of the best games ever played by Oxfordshire men’s A, with three 30-plus averages and a 26.47 team average.

The previous day, Oxon got off to a great start with the ladies B winning 4-2 thanks to Nicola Curzon, Babs Manning, lady-of-the-match Kim Ledbury (17.32), and Cali Birch.

The men’s B battled hard but just lost out 7-5 with wins coming from Ade Larner, Ian Moss, man-of-the-match Lee Russell (27.94) on his debut, Phil Addison and Sean Holly The first day finished level at 9-9.

On Sunday, Oxon ladies A lost 4-2, despite wins from lady of the match Deta Hedman (27.33) and Leanne Jennings (18.33) on her debut.

Former Oxon player Clare Bywaters had a 24.24 winning average for London.

Oxon trailed, but then came that super show from the men’s A team.

OXFORDSHIRE youth team face Middlesex at Hillingdon Royal British Legion this Sunday, starting at noon.

OXFORDSHIRE TEAMS Under 18: M Burns, J Llucas, S Lewis, S Allmond, S Wright, S Smith, S Caswell, Matt Clarke, J Bryant, J Carter, B Joines, D Mobey.

Under 21 ladies: C Adams (capt ), Katie Moore, L Daniels.

Under 21 men: D Lockyer (capt), K Smith, T Baughan , K Lewis, G Bishop, L Bower, D Clarke, A Cox.