Hampshire’s darts side may have only lost out narrowly at Oxfordshire – but the defeat cost them dearly in the pecking order.

They dropped from first place in Division 1 of the British Inter County League to fourth.

The nail-biting clash over two days was there for the taking for both teams but the home side eventually ran out 19-17 winners as the scoreline yo-yoed on the final day.

Sam Pike and Jaine Heaton registered Hampshire’s first two wins as the B side lost out 4-2 and the gap stayed the same when the men’ second side drew 6-6 – wins from Adam Lipscombe, Bradley Kirk, Steve Musson, Chas Barstow, Luke Getty and James Brooker.

The match was even after the women’s A side won 4-2 with successes from Gemma Hayter, Wendy Reinsadtler, Jane Monaghan and Pennie Lewis. That set the scene for a nervous clash of the men’s A sides. Wins from Sam Head, Bradley Kirk and Gary Stafford had Hampshire 15-13 up but only Mike Gillet won over the next six games. Lee Ward pulled back another for the visitors, leaving Hampshire needing a victory in the last game to salvage a drawn match.

However, captain Kev Ede’s efforts were no match for his opponent and the home side took the game and three extra bonus points.