OXFORD A took a giant step towards regaining the Inter-Area Cup by whitewashing Reading A 5-0 in the home leg at Kennington, writes PETE EWINS.

Stuart Florey saw off Dave Alder 8,300-1,720, Mark Trafford scored 13,630 and Steven Sheard recovered well to score 5,800 after losing a 5,000-plus break to put Oxford 3-0 up.

Alan Oliver defeated Geoff Pitt 7,040-4,260 and captain Kevin Godfrey kept his cool against the break to beat Adam Cox 9,640-2,590.

  • CHRIS Webb’s superb 20,470, including a break of 15,530, couldn’t save Masons B from a 4-1 defeat at home to Didcot Conservative Club in the Johnsons Buildbase Oxford League Section 1.

Jenny and Stuart Florey, Dave Tooke and Paul Lawson (9,380) gave Didcot victory.

Leaders West Oxford Democrats Club crashed 4-1 at Comrades Club.

Simon Ellam (13,210), Chris Alexander (7,520), Chris Storch (3,750) and Adam Thorn (4,680) shone for Comrades, with Billy Hill preventing the whitewash.

Results: Gladiators B 4, Dolphin 1; Headington Con Club 4, Marlborough 1; Vikings 4, Masons A 1; Masons B 1, Didcot Con Club 4; Comrades 4, West Oxford Democrats 1; Berinsfield 1, Kennington 4.

  • KENNINGTON'S Steven Sheard and Pauline Withey beat Sussex’s Kevin and Hayley Tunstall in the Reading mixed pairs final.

Didcot’s Stuart Florey lost out in the over 60s singles final to Sussex’s Ian Lelliott.