Oxfordshire are fighting to stay in Division 1B of the Inter-County Championships following a 9-6 defeat away to Hertfordshire.

Despite the loss, Oxon did at least pick up a much-needed point, which has left them two points off the bottom.

James Buffham was the only Oxon player to win a singles rubber, posting a 21-10, 21-17 success.

Jack Smith just missed out, going down 19-21, 21-17, 21-16, while Brodie Miller and Emma Cramond were also on the wrong end of their scorelines.

David Soanes and Pete Frobisher, who was promoted from the second team, almost took both doubles, but just missed out on the second 21-16, 14-21, 21-18.

Oxford University’s Mike Senior, paired with Buffham, also obtained one rubber, 21-18, 21-16.

In the ladies doubles, Sarah Torgersen and Miller, and Jo Wright (RAF) and Cramond beat Hertfordshire’s second pair.

Going into the mixed, Oxfordshire had five games under the belt, and needed one more to secure a point.

Buffham and Torgersen, and Soanes and Cramond lost their matches.

But Smith and Miller took victory when a Hertfordshire opponent pulled out due to injury with the Oxon pair having won the first game and when they were leading in the second.