Neil Lyon was in top form clanging off 15 dolls (4-6-5) for Three Pigeons – but it was all in vain as they lost their top-flight clash 2-1 at Cricketers B, writes ANDY BEAL.

The opening leg was tied 25-25 with Pigeons winning it on three sticks. Cricketers set 25 in the next leg and it seemed enough, Pigeons leaving anchor man Lyon needing all six to tie the leg – which he managed. However, Cricketers won the leg on three sticks and in the decider, Cricketers set and won 28-26.

Two scores of 13 by Dennis Butler (5-4-4) and John Curran (4-5-4) was enough for Gladiators A to see off Ampleforth Arms A 3-0 and stay top of Section 1.

They won all three legs 27-23, 23-16, 29-24.

New Club A came from behind to see off Red Lion B Eynsham 2-1, who won the opening leg 24-22. New Club took the next 24-21 and then stormed home 30-25 in the third. Tony Bradford was the star for New Club with 14 dolls (4-5-5).

Gary Coulthard and Willy Waite both hit 12 dolls for Bullnose Morris A as they defeated Team Monarch 2-1 in Section 2.

After winning the first two legs 21-18, 24-14 they lost the last on three sticks after it was tied 22-22.

It was not unlucky 13 for Rose Hill A’s Kevin Stuart as he rattled off a baker’s dozen (5-5-3) to help them to a 2-1 win over Black Prince B with leg scores of 22-24, 29-18, 20-17.

Chequers A scored more dolls than rivals Griffin, but still lost out 2-1. Griffin won the first leg by the odd doll 17-16, with Chequers levelling in the next 25-19.

Griffin made sure of the win in the final leg, again by the odd doll 23-22.

In Section 3, Mark Poulter clanged off 15 dolls (4-6-5) to ensure Red Lion B Yarnton stayed top as they won all three legs against Seacourt Bridge 21-13, 25-10 and 18-10.

Pete Kennett starred for Headington Con Club A as he bagged a six in his 14 doll haul (6-5-3), but they were beaten 2-1 by Six Bells A Kidlington.

Headington took the opening leg 25-15, but lost the next two on three sticks after they were tied 13-13, 17-17. Bottom side King & Queen A almost pulled off a shock against second -placed Three Horseshoes. They lost the first leg 21-20, and the second 19-17.

The third was tied 17-17, but Horseshoes made sure of maximum points winning it on three sticks.

Dave Green was top dog for Chequers C with 13 dolls (5-5-3) as they came away from Crown Chalgrove with a 2-1 win. They won the first two legs 21-18, 17-12 with Crown grabbing a point in the final leg 20-18.

The Crown, Charlton on Otmoor’s Section 4 title hopes took a setback in a 2-1 loss at Six Bells B Quarry.

The damage was done in the opening two legs which they lost 19-13, 18-14. Crown won the final leg 21-17.

There was little to separate Masons A and Vikings A as two of the legs were tied and were decided on three stick shoot-outs.

Vikings won the first leg 18-16, but Masons took the next two after they were tied 19-19, 16-16.

Kevin Masterson top scored for Vikings with 11 dolls.

In Section 6, Chandos Arms A’s Kevin Lewis could only muster a one in the opening leg, but followed that up with a four and five to see them to a 2-1 win against Red Lion C Eynsham.

After losing the first leg 17-12, Chandos took the next two 21-20, 23-19.

Seventeen-year-old Josh Breakspear hit his first ever double-figures score with 11 dolls (5-3-3) to inspire Gladiators B to a 3-0 win at Kidlington Sports Club A, 15-12, 15-12, 19-16.

John Brown was in top form for Red Lion A Kidlington with 13 dolls (4-4-5) to lead them to a maximum points away win at George A and boost their chances of league success. They won all three legs 14-12, 18-12, 23-19.

There was some bizarre scoring in the game between Donnington Club B and Northway Club in Section 7.

The opening leg was won by Donnington 9-4, but then both teams more than doubled their score as Donnington won the second 22-11.

Northway grabbed a point in the final leg 12-10. Section 9 top dogs North Oxford Con Club B almost came unstuck at Crooked Pot, but managed to win 2-1.