Frilford Heath took a big step towards retaining their Shaw & Co Oxfordshire Foursomes League crown with a vital victory away to their nearest rivals Burford on Saturday.

The 2- success ended Burford's chance of topping Section 1, but Frilford can still be caught by The Oxfordshire, who kept in touch with a whitewash win over Studley Wood.

Burford put up a stern fight. Jon Wilks and Adam Salter halved with Ashley Walton and young Sam Bourgein, while the other two matches were tight affairs.

Frilford's Ben Miles and Paul Dolton edged out Sean Yates and Simon Hopkins on the last green, while Alex Gavrilovic and Tom Fleming were taken to the 17th hole by Tommy Potter and Ian Liddle.

The Oxfordshire were in great form against bottom club Studley Wood, especially James Shield and Scott Hunt, who romped home to a 7 & 5 success.

Frilford need only a draw at home to Hadden Hill in their final match this Saturday to win the title.

If Frilford slip up , they can still be caught if The Oxfordshire win at Ellesborough.

Chipping Norton kept their Section 2 title hopes alive with a 2-1 win at home to Bicester, who are relegated.

Chippy must now win at Brailes on Saturday, and hope that leaders Oxford City slip up at home to North Oxford.

More realistically, Chippy need a point to secure promotion.

Magnolia Park clinched the Section 3 title with a 2-1 success at home to Buckingham, the first pair of Robert Travis and Sean Borrett leading the way with a 5 & 4 success.

Hazlemere will go up with them, if they avoid defeat in their last match at Mentmore.

Shrivenham Park clinched promotion from Section 4 in their first season, with a whitewash over Carswell, although Drayton will win the title if they triumph at Carswell this week.

Waterstock gave themselves a rousing finale with a maximum success against Witney Lakes.

SHAW & CO OXFORDSHIRE

FOURSOMES LEAGUE

Section 1

Burford (pt), Frilford Heath 2 (3) (Burford first): D Yates & S Hopkins lost to B Miles & P Dolton 1 hole; J Wilks & A Salter halved with A Walton & S Bourgein; T Potter & I Liddle lost to A Gavrilovic & T Potter 2 & 1.

The Oxfordshire 3 (4), Studley Wood 0 (0) (The Oxfordshire first): P Spence & R Graham bt J Fathers & S Bulman 3 & 1; S Warren & A A Stubbs bt S Jenkins & C Drew 2 holes; J Shield & S Hunt bt N Pettit & N Lawton 7 & 5.

Section 2

Chipping Norton 2 (3), Bicester 1 (1) (Chipping Norton first): G Reynolds & A Johnson bt M Bransby & D Green 6 & 5; L Thorpe & S Allen halved with K Bransby & J Davis; D Hicks & M Stanton halved with S Hickman & D Cronin.

Section 3

Magnolia Park 2 (3), Buckingham 1 (1) (Magnolia Park first): R Travis & S Borrett bt P Skinner & J Field 5 & 4; L French & H Chopping lost to W Hearne & N Franklin 2 holes; R Purvey & R Harris bt R Long & D Robertson 1 hole.

Section 4

Waterstock 3 (4), Witney Lakes 0 (0) (Witney Lakes first): M Honer & A Ludlow bt R Langton & P Haddon 3 & 2; D Hill & P Tipping bt T Isherwood & A King 5 & 4; M Dollard & P Knightley bt P Williamson & R Brooks 2 & 1.

Shrivenham Park 3 (4), Carswell 0 (0) (Shrivenham first): T Chester & M Pook bt R Pitt & J Aitklen; P Godding & I Penfold bt J Hunt & N Hunt 5 & 4; T White & A Thomas bt T Lightfoot & J Leeson 4 & 3.

SATURDAY'S FIXTURES

Section 1: Frilford Heath v Hadden Hill, Ellesborough v The Oxfordshire, Studley Wood v Burford.

Section 2: Oxford City v North Oxford, Brailes v Chipping Norton, Bicester v Tadmarton Heath.

Section 3: Mentmore v Hazlemere, Rye Hill v Buckingham, Magnolia Park v Kirtlington.

Section 4: Carswell v Drayton Park, Witney Lakes v The Wychwood.

The KO final between Tadmarton & Burford will be held at Frilford Heath on Saturday, December 4 (9.30am).