THERE was a thrilling climax to this season's Shaw and Company Oxfordshire Foursomes Golf League as Burford's third pair won the last three holes to snatch the championship.

kipper Rob Stanton and Ian Liddle were the visitors' heroes as the 1996 champions let slip their grip on this year's title.

A share of the spoils might have sufficed, but Andy Purdy and Doug Hamilton - two up with three to play - allowed Burford to sneak a 2-1 match win and with it the championship, just 12 months after gaining promotion from Section 2.

City's pairing took three putts to get down from seven feet on 16, but they still held the advantage with just two holes to play.

Purdy then came unstuck with his putter on the 17th green, missing from five feet to make the match all-square.

Burford were in the driving seat at the last as Purdy pulled his second shot to the left of the green.

Hamilton, though, chipped to within five feet, leaving his partner with a putt for a half.

That was after Liddle had used his putter off the fringe of the green to leave Stanton with a three-footer.

Purdy's putt lipped out and it was left to Stanton to apply the finish and send Burford back down the A40 as champions.

Jubilant captain Rob Stanton said: "I've looked through all the records and I don't think any club has ever won the top section the season after being promoted.

"It's been a great season and I would like to thank the Burford squad and club sponsors Motorworld Audi for all their efforts."

Barry Holt and Simon Ingoldby had earlier given the visitors to Southfield the ideal start with a 4 & 3 triumph over David Summers and Ian Bound.

The match was all-square at the turn, but wins at the tenth and 11th were the signal for the Burford duo to run out comfortable winners.

Clive Bowler and John Summers repaired the damage in the next match, but they made hard work of their victory.

The City pair were three up after 11 holes, only to be back to all-square four holes later as Tom Potter and Jonathan Wilks hit back with a vengeance.

City edged in front again, but Burford replied immediately to set up a tense final hole, which the Southfield club won courtesy of Bowler's birdie putt.

Deposed champions Frilford Heath ended their season on a high, in the process ending Ellesborough's faint hopes of pipping Burford.

Wins in the opening two matches guaranteed the points for Frilford and lifted them into joint runners-up spot alongside old rivals City.

Mentmore have emerged as strong favourites to lift the Section 2 title.

Their final two games are against the division's bottom two sides - Drayton Park and Chiltern Forest - although Hadden Hill with the same run-in will still harbour hopes of making up the one-point deficit.

Lyneham are waiting in the wings should either club slip up, but they must defeat The Oxfordshire on Saturday and hope their rivals slip up.

RESULTS

Section 1 - Oxford City 1, Burford 2: D Summers & I Bound lost to B Holt & S Ingoldby 4 & 3; C Bowler & J Summers bt T Potter & J Wilks 1 up; A Purdy & D Hamilton lost to R Stanton & I Liddle 1 up.

Ellesborough 1, Frilford Heath 2: P Stevens & M Armitage lost to B Miles & S Naylor 3 & 2; P Bent & R Crisp lost to J Lawson & K Johnson 5 & 4; N Purdy & T Lawson bt J Wilson & D Bolton 3 & 2.

Section 2 - The Oxfordshire 1, Brailes 2: N Lucas & J Groszek bt I Mold & K Guy 4 & 2; S Hudson & I Madeley lost to S & P Gibbs 3 & 2; J Archer & R Graham lost to N Gardner & R Tustain 2 dn.

Section 3 - Chesterton 2, Witney Lakes 1: M Haddy & T Horn bt Spice & Goffe 2 & 1; S Wallis & P Cooper bt Marks & Williams 5 & 3; D Simmonds & E Walton lost to Wood 7 Brooks 1 up.

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