VIKINGS A suffered a potentially decisive setback in their bid to retain the Oxford & District League Division 1 title.

They failed to field three players in losing 6-4 to a very strong British Rail side.

Ray Powell inspired Rail with a maximum that included a win over Pawel Jaskolski.

Andy Misseldine and Mark Scott hit maximums as Holton A beat Bicester B 8-2 to add to the pressure on Vikings.

In Division 2, the Forum C juggernaut continues its merry way, sweeping aside Haddenham A 9-1.

Forum H produced a shock in Division 3, beating high-flying Forum F 8-2. Terry Ruane bagged a maximum, Niall Harris hitting back with two wins.

RESULTS

Division 1: Forum A 7 (K Bushell 3, S Huygen 3), Forum B 3; Vikings B 2, Bicester A 8 (J Rigby 3); Bicester A 8 (J Rigby 3, T Gorman 3), RAL 2; Bicester B 2, Holton A 8 (A Misseldine 3, M Scott 3); British Rail 6 (R Powell 3), Vikings A 4; RAL 4, Forum B 6 (J Flint 3).

Division 2: Forum C 9 (C Smith 3, F Harris 3), Haddenham A 1; Forum E 5 (G Boone 3), Gladiators A 5; Vikings D 9 (E Deeley 3, P Borrowdale 3), Forum D 1; Vikings C 5 (J Lawton Smith 3), Begbroke 5.

Division 3: Forum F 2, Forum H 8 (T Ruane 3); Witney A 6 (G Bishop 3), Vikings E 4; Gladiators B 5 (C Westbury 3), St James 5.

Division 4: Holton C 0, Forum M 10 (B Pritchard 3, C Scaysbrook 3, R Chamdal 3); Bicester F 8 (T Brennan 3, S Harding 3), Forum L 2; Forum I 6 (J East 3), Forum K 4; Haddenham B 10 (J Mott 3, B Green 3, R Mott 3), Holton B 0.

  • OXFORD finished third in the Midland League junior team event at Forum TT Centre, Kidlimgton.

They were well beaten by Coventry and Leamington, but two wins against Birmingham from Jonah Stott and one each from Simon Price and Fabian Audifferen led to a 4-1 victory.

Draws against Gloucester and Newbury secured third.