BURFORD’S defence of their Section 1 title in the Shaw Gibbs Oxfordshire Foursomes League began with a 2-1 home defeat to Frilford Heath.

John Wilks and Joe Simpson got the reigning champions off to a good start, beating Rob Langton and Matt Chiddington by one hole.

But Frilford hit back to take the other two matches.

Lee White and Tim Smith were 4 & 2 winners against Bret Gaertner and Richard Connor to level the contest.

Ashley Walton and Jake Dines came up trumps in the third match, edging to a 2 & 1 success against Simon Hopkins and Matt Hill.

Rye Hill made a winning start at home in Section 4, as they beat Hadden Hill 2-1.

The biggest winners were Tim Smithers and John Dunleavey, who claimed the opening match 4 & 3 against Lee Fuller and Steve Pryor.

The two clubs will meet again after they were paired in the opening round of the Knock Out Cup, which has to be played by July 6.

Witney Lakes were one of two clubs to earn a bye into the quarter-finals.

DRAW IN FULL

First round: Rye Hill v Hadden Hill, Studley Wood v Burford, Badgemore Park v Frilford Heath, Bicester v Tadmarton Heath, Chiltern Forest v Feldon Valley, Cotswolds Club v Drayton Park.

Second round: Badgemore Park or Frilford Heath v Buckingham, Cotswolds Club or Drayton Park v Witney Lakes.