Oxfordshire missed out in qualifying from their Women's County Championhip regional preliminary round at Banbury Road North, Oxford.

On a scorching day, Oxon were thankful of their large squad as they had three matches to play.

They got off to a great start with a 3-0 win against Northants. Oxon took the lead when Alex Baird cleanly struck home a penalty corner.

Emily Malden slotted a second, and late on, a well-worked move down the right from Anna Nicholson was finished by Vicky Mankelow.

The second game provided much stronger opposition in the shape of Suffolk, who started extremely strongly and were 3-0 up by half-time.

Oxfordshire responded well in the second half, with Fi Walton making some good drives on the left, and Mankelow slotted past the onrushing keeper to pull one back.

However, it was too late as Suffolk held on for a 3-1 victory.

Oxon then went into the last game against Herts knowing they needed a 3-0 victory to win the tournament, but conceded early on in a 3-1 defeat.

The home defence soon settled with Caro Brebner controlling the back, switching nicely to Mandy Hamilton-Martin and Kat Rutland.

Herts made it 2-0, but Laura Smyth pulled one back.

Herts scored again on the break to win the tournament with three straight victories. They go on to the next round in Chelmsford on June 2-3.