Surrey’s Middleton Cup hopes are virtually dashed for another year after being pipped 108-104 by Oxfordshire at Shirley Park.

In their third group game of the season, Surrey were nine shots behind after five ends and the deficit stretched to 11 shots after 15 ends and, despite a spirited fightback towards the end, Oxfordshire claimed 17 points to Surrey’s five.

Team manager Dave Candeland felt some of his players fell short of the quality he expects from Middleton Cup players.

Despite currently being bottom of the five-team section, Surrey have a mathematical chance of finishing top should they beat Hampshire 22-0 in their final match and Berkshire beat Oxfordshire 16-6.

Rink 1: Surrey: Phil Burge, Ian Ross, Lee Dickson, Dave Clark 13 Oxon: A Prew 20. 2: Andy Bullen, Paul Vamvacopoulos, Mark Bishopp, Gary Little 18 Oxon: M Sykes 18. 3: Matthew White, Alistair Howick, Graham Vigor, Ian Jenkins 23 Oxon: G Moon 13. 4: Andy Gladwell, Norman Ross, Nathan Beeson, Dennis Hennessy 11 Oxon: H Watts 18. 5: Doug Spittles, Mike Sigamoney, Barrie Emanuel, Ian Honnor 21 Oxon: B Sparkes 18. 6: Daniel Morris, Zac Abro, Chris Young, Steve Tuohy 18 Oxon: M Charlett 21.

Current group three table: 1 Oxford played 3 points 42, 2 Hampshire 3-41, 3 Middlesex 4-35, 4 Berkshire 3-31, 5 Surrey 3-27.