Oxfordshire start their build-up for this year’s Middleton Cup campaign with a trial match away to Northamptonshire at Kingsthorpe BC on Saturday.

After failing to reach the latter stages of last year’s competition, Oxon have reshaped their side for the 2015 event, with ten players dropping out of the initial 31-man squad, and nine coming in.

Nick Rae-Welsh and Jon Philpott, both from Headington, are recalled to the squad for this weekend’s match, while West Witney’s Paul Skidmore and City & County’s Paul Lopez will represent Oxon for the first time.

Oxfordshire, who host Gloucestershire in another trial match a week later, start their South Group Section B campaign on May 30 with an away clash against Buckinghamshire.

Berkshire, Hampshire and Surrey complete the group, with only the top side going through to the quarter-finals on Saturday, July 18.

Oxfordshire (v Northants at Kingsthorpe BC): J Philpott, K Holloway, G May, I Snowdon; AJ Docherty, P Mabbut, G Schwab, M Sykes; D May, P Skidmore, R Redford, B Sparkes; P Lopez, A Martin, J King, M Charlett; S Watts, S Cooper, B Lambourne, P Sharman; M Nash, K Alder, N Welsh, C Whitehead. Res: C Gilkes, S Claridge.

Oxfordshire Under 25s take on Sussex in the preliminary round of the National County Under 25s Two Fours Competition for the White Rose Trophy at Kidlington on Sunday (10.30).

Oxfordshire Under 25s: S Watts (Watlington), C Gilkes (Watlington), Dean Wakeman (Carterton), S Cooper (Watlington); D May (Headington), O Bennett (Chadlington), G Schwab (Banbury Borough), G May (Headington). Res: D Swanson (Bicester), Darren Wakeman (Carterton).

Oxfordshire Ladies went down 124-103 to Leicestershire in their second Middle England League match of the season.

Only Jeanette Berry’s rink were able to record victory as the hosts won the other five games.

The defeat followed an encouraging start to the season when Oxon beat Warwickshire 107-99, winning on four of their rinks.

RESULTS

Oxfordshire 103 (2pts), Leicestershire 124 (15) – Oxfordshire skips first: J Berry 16, C Massie 13; C Campion 21, D Hurst 25; A Norton 14, P Walker 23; W Cross 19, A Johnson 20; B Havard 20, L Green 22; P Ostler 13, J Groves 21.

Oxfordshire 107 (13pts), Warwickshire 99 (4) – Oxfordshire skips first: J Berry 23, M Parsons 17; C Penson 13, J Corn 17; K Hawes 20, E Chedgzoy 14; A Norton 12, M Edwards 23; C Gaskins 20, M Timms 16; W Cross 19, D Green 12.

Defending champion Mark Sykes was knocked out in the first round of the County Two Wood National Championship by Headington’s John Philpott.

Sykes, from Banbury Borough, had never failed to win the title since the competition started three years ago.

Philpott went on to lose in the second round to clubmate Ray Gaskins, who faces Carterton’s Stuart Richens in the last 16.

Richens made the third round with victory over Trevor Prew.

The preliminary, first and second rounds were played at both Oxford City & County, and South Oxford bowls clubs.
Games up to the semi-finals will be held at South Oxford on Sunday from 2pm.
Banbury Central’s Nigel Galletly was handed a walkover to the last eight.
LAST 16 DRAW
S Richens (Carterton) v R Gaskins (Headington), I Snowdon (Headington) v I Henwood (Headington), K Woodward (Headington) v V Depaauw (South Oxford), P Comley (Oxford City & County) v G Schwab (Banbury Borough), M Plested (Watlington) v B King (Bicester), B Clarke (Woodstock) v J Bland (Shiplake), G Morbey (Banbury Central) v H Watts (Headington).

Headington B recorded an impressive 20-shot win over Division 1 side Shiplake to book their place in the semi-finals of the Oxfordshire League Cup for the first time.

Shiplake saw off last year’s runners up City & County A in the previous round, but with only Barry Lambourne winning for the visitors, Headington B went through to set-up a clash with Headington A.

Defending champions Headington A beat Kidlington to reach the last four for a sixth year running.

The closest game of the competition came between local rivals Thame and Watlington, with only one shot separating the sides.

Ex-Thame stalwart Ron Slater went back to his old green for an early-season return, needing two shots to tie the game for Watlington.

However, the chance for a dramatic return was lost and Thame held on to progress to their first semi-final. 

Thame now face three-time winners Banbury Central A, after they beat City & County B.
RESULTS
3rd round: Thame 62, Watlington 31; Banbury Central A 91, City & County B Headington B 74, Shiplake 54; Kidlington 40, Headington A.
Semi-final draw (to be played on August 13): Thame v Banbury Central A, Headington B v Headington A.