Oxfordshire Ladies’ hopes of progressing in the Johns Trophy look slim after a 121-118 defeat by Group 2B South leaders Surrey at Shiplake.

Despite only winning on two rinks for the second week running, Oxfordshire almost snatched victory, before going down 18-4 on points.

The defeat means Oxon, who face Bucks at Iver Heath on Saturday, will now have to pick up maximum points to have any chance of progressing, and at the same time hope Surrey slip up in their final game.

Caroline Campion again skipped one of Oxfordshire’s winning rinks with Annie Gilkes, Donna Knight and Carole Galletly defeating Pat Bourne 26-12.

Sue Lacey’s four of Sue Mayo, Daphne Jacob and Myra Lewis provided Oxon’s other winning rink with a 23-9 victory over Pauline Clarke.

They played the last end requiring at least four shots to take the match, but were only able to pick up one.

Katherine Hawes’s four of Mo Cox, Carol Gaskins and Stella Amos went down 21-13 to Debbie Souter.

Gail Gilkes lost 24-20 to Pam Garden, while Jeanette Berry’s rink were beaten 26-14 by Margaret Smith, and Pat Ostler’s went down 29-22 against Maureen Vandrau.

Oxfordshire 118 (4pts), Surrey 121 (18) (Oxon skips first): C Campion 26, P Bourne 12; J Berry 14, M Smith 26; G Gilkes 20, P Garden 24; S Lacey 23, P Clarke 9; K Hawes 13, D Souter 21; P Ostler 22, M Vandrau 29.

OXFORDSHIRE Ladies face Berkshire in the Inter County Double Rink competition first round for the Walker Cup at Banbury Chestnuts on Sunday.

Oxon: S Mayo, S Lacey, D Knight, C Campion; C Galletly, J Berry, K Hawes, G Gilkes. Res: M Lewis, P Ostler.