BOB Ford starred as St James stunned Vikings B in the group stages of the Aubrey Hughes Handicap Shield.

Given a start of 184 points, the contest went down to the last leg of the doubles.

Vikings had to win 11-0 to tie, but that proved too much as Ford led the way for the visitors.

Elsewhere, John Cripps and Barry Green were in fine form as Holton C eased to victory over Forum C.

Vikings A were unable to recover from a poor start as they lost at home to Forum D.

Marco Zhang got the visitors off to a flier, seeing off Simon Cox in the first singles.

Vikings fought back, but they were unable to recover as Guy Plowman also starred for Forum.

A deficit of 167 proved no problem for Forum G as they beat their H team, who only had two players, by a comfortable 104 points.

Forum A edged hosts Gladiators A by seven points.

RESULTS

Aubrey Hughes Handicap Shield Group stage: Forum G 433, Forum H (+104) 266; Gladiators A (+144) 401, Forum A 408; Gladiators C (+231) 428, British Rail 437; Holton C (+143) 463, Forum C 387; Vikings A 368, Forum D (+53) 386; Vikings B 420, St James (+184) 423.