CRICKETERS B confirmed their position as top dogs by sealing the Greene King Oxford & District League Premier Section title with a 2-1 win at New Club A, writes ANDY BEAL.

The leaders did not have it all their own way, though, losing the opening leg 26-25, and the visitors needed a five from anchor man Geoff Townsend to take the next by the same score.

They finished with a flourish, taking the decider 31-28. Townsend (4-5-5) was the Cricketers’ top scorer, while Tony Bradford (3-4-6) was the hosts’ star.

Three Pigeons climbed into second place with a 3-0 demolition at home to Garsington Sports Club A.

Neil Lyon (4-5-6) led the way, while Kevin Gils (3-6-4) and Paul Townsend (5-3-5) shared 26 dolls between them in the 32-27, 29-23, 30-25 victory.

Gladiators are on the verge of the Section 1 title after beating Six Bells C Kidlington 2-1.

But they had to do it the hard way, recovering from a 32-20 defeat in the first leg to win the next two 26-22, 27-23.

Dave Bowler (5-5-5) was a model of consistency for Vikings Sports B in a 2-1 home win over Red Lion A Eynsham.

The hosts won the first two legs 27-25, 29-26, but lost the last leg on three sticks after it was tied 27-27.

Jeff Glenister (6-4-6) was in sensational form and his 16-doll haul inspired The Griffin to a 3-0 win at Black Prince B in Section 2.

Assisted by a baker’s dozen from teammate Pete Hitchman (4-4-5) they won 21-17, 23-19, 30-19.

Red Lion B Yarnton dropped a leg in a 2-1 win at Queens Head A, but remain in control of Section 3.

Helped by Mark Poulter (5-5-3) they were on course for a whitewash by easing into a 2-0 lead 25-13, 22-12.

Despite Eric Green (1-1-6) recovering from a poor start to whip off a six, they collapsed in the final leg to lose 19-16.

Danny Brown (4-3-4) whipped off 11 dolls, but could not prevent Seacourt Bridge slipping to a 3-0 home defeat to King & Queen A.

The visitors were always in charge, winning 17-12, 17-13, 19-13.

The Section 4 title race looks to be heading to the wire, but Original Swan became outright leaders with a 3-0 win at Garsington Sports B.

John Henigan (3-5-3) led the way with 11 dolls in the 23-19, 20-17, 18-13 success.

The Crown slipped one point off the pace in a 2-1 home win over Masons Arms A.

They won the first two legs 18-17, 14-11, but missed out on maximum points in the final leg, losing it 15-16.

Martyn Boulton clanged off a six in the final leg to claim the Section 5 title for Vikings Sports C in style.

The anchor man needed a five after hosts Democrats Club set 16, but he went one better to claim a maximum and seal a 20-16, 19-10, 18-16 triumph.

Craig Disley (5-5-4) was the class act as Queens Head B won 3-0 at Masons Arms B.

The away side edged the opening leg 20-19 and went on to complete a comfortable victory 20-14, 17-9.

Donnington Club C edged clear in Section 6 with a comfortable 3-0 win at home to The Priory.

The result was never in doubt as they took all three legs 18-14, 14-11, 15-11.

Second-placed Red Lion A Kidlington also won, but dropped a leg in the 2-1 success over Red Lion C Eynsham.

It could have been worse after the title contenders lost the opener 15-11, but they showed their mettle to take the next two 19-17, 15-9.

Steve Christy hit his first six of the season to help Cricketers Arms A to a 3-0 home win over Donnington Club B, which boosted their hopes of taking the Section 7 title.

The leaders eased to a 20-18, 21-13, 17-14 victory.

Bullnose Morris B’s Section 8 title ambitions were dented by a 2-1 defeat at Rose Hill Club B.

It came down to the deciding leg after the first two were shared 13-11, 12-14, but the hosts clinched it 17-11.

North Oxford Con Club B marched to the Section 9 crown with a 3-0 success over closest rivals Kings Arms.

The match was closely fought, but the leaders came out 17-13, 18-14, 16-13 winners.

The Section 10 race was also decided, as Kennington Social Club B won 3-0 at Red Lion C Kidlington.

Richard Dunham (3-4-3) top scored in the 14-10, 16-8, 16-14 whitewash.