Sean Holly’s 140 checkout was just a consolation as Kidlington Green Social Club B narrowly lost 5-4 at Premier rivals Goodlake Arms A as the Greene King & ODDA Winter League season began.

Holly provided the highest outshot of the week to give the visitors a 2-1 lead, after Anthony Barrett (180) had cancelled out Terry Woods’s opener for the home side.

Kevin Wilkins and Dave Excell edged Goodlake in front 3-2, but Joe Palmer impressively beat Preben Krabben to level the match.

It came down to the pairs, which Goodlake won 2-1 to seal the points.

Ampleforth Arms C marked their Section 1 debut with a 5-4 win at home to Goodlake Arms B.

Alan Eckart, Nigel Hodge and Paul Bustin all came out on top, along with a 2-1 victory in the pairs.

Premier side Cowley Workers Club got away to a winning start at home, as Section 1’s Peachcroft Social Club were beaten 6-3.

Howard Cannon put the visitors in front, but wins from Bob Freemire, Lyndon Rich-ards (180), Paul Oakley (180) and Simon Powell put the Workers in control.

Michael Wilkes (180) pulled one back, before the hosts made sure with a 2-1 pairs win.

The Section 2 clash between Corner House B and Red Lion (Eynsham) came down to the pairs after the singles were split.

The visiting Lion side led 3-2, thanks to wins from Darren Hammond, Paddy Kearns and Ian Moss.

But a brilliant 3-0 win from Ian Moss (180) levelled the match, following earlier wins from Jason Coates and Mark Kerry.

The Red Lion went on to win the pairs 2-1 for a 5-4 victory.

Rileys Social Club A came from 3-1 down to win 6-3 at home to the George Bar A.

Barry Wells, Carl Pitson and Jimmy Oram gave the visitors a 3-0cushion, with only Mark Moss registering for Rileys.

But the home side came roaring back, levelling thanks to Martin Atherton and Steve Perks, before a 3-0 pairs win settled the result.

The meeting of the top two teams in the ladies’ section, Nuffield Bar and Florence Park Community Centre A, produced a typically close match.

Florence Park captain Michelle Ewins got the away side off to a great start with a win over Nuffield skipper Cindy Chalmers.

Hazel Prowton equalised, but the visitors moved into a 4-1 lead with wins from Tina Hamilton, Clare Bywaters and Carol Harwood.

Denise Pape beat Angie Pointin to keep Nuffield’s faint hopes alive, but despite a 2-1 win in the pairs they fell just short, with Florence Parkclaiming a 5-4 triumph.

Elsewhere, Section 1 side Berinsfield Community Centre defeated local rivals, Premier’s Village Inn, 5-4 in a very close contest .

l ODDA Finals Night will be held on Friday at Oxford Social Club in Roman Way.

Tickets are £3 on the door, with play starting at 7.30pm.