Oxfordshire finished seventh in the British Inter- Counties Championship Premier Division after going down in their final fixture at home to Glamorgan at Rileys in Cowley.

They never recovered from trailing 15-3 after Saturday’s B team matches, but finished on a high note with victories for both the men’s and women’s A teams the next day.

Oxon were in the top three early in the season after a flying start, and seventh place ensured they will be back for another crack at the title next term.

Deta Hedman topped the ladies’ A individual averages, while the men’s A team finished second in their division.

Manager Graham Manning was pleased with Oxon’s progeress.

He said: “Overall, it proved a very good county season, with lots to build on next year.”

Oxon secretary Steve Babu was also optimistic, saying: “We wanted to consolidate this season, so we have achieved our goal.

“Next time we’ll have more of a go at it.

“We hope to recruit some new players to increase our strength in depth and we’ll be aiming for a top-four finish.”

Oxon got off to a poor start against Glamorgan with the ladies B losing the first five games as the curse of missed doubles came back to haunt them, before lady-of-the- match Cali Birch finally put a point on the board.

The men’s B fared little better, losing the first seven games before Paddy Kearns stopped the rot, taking his first man-of-the-match award.

Lee Russell was Oxon’s only other winner as they went intoSunday’s matches with a mountain to climb.

The ladies A won 4-2 thanks to Belinda Grant, on her debut, lady-of-the-match Deta Hedman, Linda Jones and Sandra Cox.

That made the overall match score 17-7 to Glamorgan and defeat was confirmed when the Welshmen triumphed in the first three men’s A matches.

Oxon stormed back through Dennis Smith, who hit 16 tons, Nick Cobb, Jon Jukes, Kevin Lowe and Chris Aubrey, putting their team 5-3 up.

Glamorgan took the next, but Ade Larner, man-of-the-match Stuart Dutton and Pete Hall captured the last three games for an 8-4 victory.