GLADIATORS A secured the Section 1 title with a game to spare thanks to a 3-0 home win over Red Lion B Eynsham, writes ANDY BEAL.
The leaders were pushed all the way in the opening leg. It was tied 24-24 and they could still not be separated on three sticks, which finished 11-11, but Gladiators finally won on one stick.
They went on to take the other two legs with relative ease, 25-20, 28-20, with John Allnutt (4-4-5) the top scorer.
Phil Adams (6-5-5) bagged a six as Premier champions Cricketers B marched on with a 3-0 home sweep over Garsington Sports A.
Francis Hillier (5-4-5) was also in fine form to set up the 29-26, 29-28, 26-21 triumph.
There was also a whitewash for Six Bells C Kidlington away to New Club A.
Anchor man Alan Goodgame (5-5-5) starred as the visitors ran out 33-23, 26-25, 29-24 winners.
Kevin Giles (6-5-4) and Pete Dempsey (5-5-5) shared 30 dolls between them to help Three Pigeons to a 2-1 win at Vikings Sports B.
A six from Neil Lyon (6-3-5) helped them take the first two legs 32-29, 28-23, but Vikings bounced back to take the final leg 27-23.
A season’s best score from Shamus Hannon (4-4-5) was unable to inspire Cowley Workers, who lost 2-1 at Bullnose Morris in Section 2.
Dave Simms (4-3-5) was the home side’s top scorer in the 20-18, 18-23, 22-14 success.
A baker’s dozen from lead-off man Ray Townsend (4-5-4) saw Black Prince B ease to maximum points in a 19-17, 25-15, 22-19 win at The Woodman.
The Section 3 title was wrapped up by Red Lion B Yarnton with a 2-1 home victory over King & Queen A.
Wins in the opening legs – 18-15, 25-17 – were enough to secure top spot, before the visitors pinched the final leg 18-16.
The battle in Section 4 goes on after the top two teams both won 2-1.
Leaders Original Swan edged past New Club B in a tight clash, but after taking the opening legs 18-17, 16-13, they missed out on a 3-0 win as the visitors took the final leg on three sticks after it was tied 18-18.
Crown A remain a point behind following a hard-fought 2-1 win at Garsington Sports B.
The visitors went ahead 19-8, but the final two legs went to three sticks.
Garsington took the second after it finished level at 16-16, but Crown kept their title hopes intact by taking the decider on the shoot-out, after the third leg was drawn 16-16.
Martin Giles (4-3-5) clanged off a dozen dolls as Six Bells B Quarry cruised to a 3-0 home win over Vikings Sports A, 18-14, 16-9, 23-16.
Fairview Inn A scored more dolls than Section 5 hosts King & Queen B, but still lost 2-1.
The home side went ahead 16-14, 16-15 before Fairview claimed a consolation 14-9 in the final leg.
Mick Rowe (4-4-5) and Mick Richardson (6-3-3) helped North Oxford Con Club A beat champions Vikings C.
They took the opener 22-18, lost the next 20-15, before edging the decider 15-14.
Donnington Club C moved closer to glory in Section 6 following a 17-12, 12-11, 19-9 win at Chequers B.
They could still be pipped in the final match, as tonight’s opponents Red Lion A Kidlington took maximum points from their penultimate game, away at Kidlington Sports Club A.
The 18-10, 15-11, 20-10 success kept them within two points of the leaders.
Tony Eeles whipped off a six but George A still went down to a 2-1 defeat at home to Red Lion C.
Lion went ahead 15-13, but needed three sticks to win the next after it was tied 19-19, before George grabbed a point by taking the final leg 22-12.
Brill Sports Club B secured the glory in Section 8 thanks to a 3-0 home win over rivals Bullnose Morris B.
The hosts came out on top 19-13, 14-11, 13-12.
Michael Finney (3-6-3) whipped off a rare six in Section 9 as The Blackbird beat champions North Oxford Con Club B 3-0.
They needed three sticks to seal the opening leg after it finished 15-15, before winning the next two more comfortably 21-15, 19-12.
Red Lion B Cassington kept their slim Section 10 title hopes alive with a 2-1 victory at leaders Kennington Club B.
They went into a 2-0 lead 11-6, 12-10 but missed out on maximum points, losing the final leg 16-11.
- COULD all teams please return any cups they hold to Keith Alder ASAP.
All final result cards must be in by Monday, September 9 and any games played after tonight will be void.
Comments: Our rules
We want our comments to be a lively and valuable part of our community - a place where readers can debate and engage with the most important local issues. The ability to comment on our stories is a privilege, not a right, however, and that privilege may be withdrawn if it is abused or misused.
Please report any comments that break our rules.
Read the rules here