OXFORDSHIRE’S men are sitting proudly on top of Group 5 at West Worthing after beating previous leaders Dorset 5-4 yesterday.

They face Durham & Cleveland today and Bucks tomorrow when two victories would secure promotion.

But the grouip is so tight, two defeats could spell relegation.

First pair Jon Maskens & Joe Cartledge won 3-2, as did second pair Benedict Calnan & Tom Greenland.

Although third pair Sebastian Rey & Nigel Matthews lost 3-1, their win over Dorset’s first pair was crucial to the overall result.

The county’s ladies team are relegated from Group 6 after suffering a third successive defeat at Ilkley, Yorkshire.

Without captain Emma Tolson, who injured an elbow on Tuesday, they were beaten 6-3 by Suffolk, who are also down.

Second pair Sophie Marriott & Alice Atkins won two of their three matches, Oxon’s other victory coming from first pair Ariadne Katsoulis & Patricia Vallima.

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