A LATE surge by the Men’s A team just failed to see Oxfordshire pull off a shock away win at Division 1 leaders Hampshire.

Michael Kearns’ comeback win started a run of seven victories in nine matches, but the hosts clung on to a 19-17 overall win in the BDO Inter Counties Championship.

Emma Everett, Gina Freshwater and Cali Birch came out on top as the Ladies’ B matches were shared 3-3.

Hampshire held a 10-8 overnight lead, though, as they pinched the Men’s B battle 7-5.

Paul Warwick (27.24) was Oxfordshire’s man of the match, while Stephen Wright, returning after a broken hand, was also among the winners.

Despite winning the opening point of the Ladies’ A contest through Deta Hedman, Oxfordshire slipped further behind in a 4-2 defeat.

The visitors fell six points adrift when they lost the opening two matches in the Men’s A, before Kearns sparked the late response.

The squad’s next fixture is at home to struggling Cleveland on November 26/27.