SECTION 1 leaders West Oxford Democrats Club dropped two crucial points in a 3-2 win at home to Section 3 side Dolphin, writes PETE EWINS.

Melissa Standbridge (3,630) and Kirsty Jarvis (4,120) hit back to level for the visitors in after wins for John Patey (7,190) and Richard Garrett.

Bob Parson (5,480) won the decider, but the result allowed Masons A to close the gap with a 4-1 home win over Gladiators Club B.

Alan Lowe top-scored with a break of 8,620 in his 10,090 as the hosts won the opening four games.

Mark Johnson saved the whitewash.

Masons B won 3-2 away at Marlborough, with Martin Skryme (3,710), Paul Cooper (5,730) and Ernie Smith (3,780) all victorious. Pete Rose and Chris Bateman replied for Marlborough.

Berinsfield won 3-2 at Headington Conservative Club thanks to a fast start which saw Phil McFarland,Geoff Mace and John Boal take the opening three games.

Keith Hollis (6,500) and Graham Mildenhall secured the final two games. Vikings Club secured runners up spot in the Premier Section after winning 4-1 at home to Comrades Club.

Allan Lacey (7,460), Lewis Stratford (6,790), Alan Oliver (5,890) and Ian Moss won the first games.

Champions Kennington signed off with a 3-2 home defeat to Didcot Con Club 3-2.

The key game saw Kennington’s Ian Gordon lose breaks of 8,000 and 2,000, letting in Sue Atkins to win with the last ball.

RESULTS

Kennington 2, Didcot CC 3; Marlborough 2, Masons B 3; Masons A 4, Gladiators B 1; Vikings 4, Comrades 1; Democrats 3, Dolphin 2; Headington CC 2, Berinsfield 3.

TONIGHT’S FIXTURES

Dolphin v Masons A, Masons B v Headington CC, Democrats v Gladiators A, Gladiators B v Berinsfield.