BARRY Townsend made a superb start to the Greene King Oxford & District League season by clanging off 16 dolls, writes Andy Beal.

He was on for a maximum until the 15th throw, but his 6-6-4 haul helped Gladiators to a 28-26, 27-25, 27-25 victory at Six Bells A Quarry in Premier & Section 1.

Jon Townsend (4-5-6) also made a strong start.

Swan A Eynsham won 26-22, 31-20, 29-28 at New Club A, for whom Roger Goodall and Pip Goulding hit 13.

Luke Purcell bagged himself a six in his 13-doll total (2-5-6) as the George came from behind to beat The Black Prince 2-1. After losing the opening leg 19-24 they were then set 27 in the next leg. However they passed that with ease replying with 31.

The George then wrapped up victory in the final leg 26-21.

Bullnose Morris A claimed a maximum victory in their first game in the top section.

The first and third legs went to three sticks after 19-19 ties, but Garsington Sports Club lost both despite the efforts of Barry Ruffels (6-4-3).

In Section 2 Donnington Club ‘D’ anchor man Steve Walton whipped off thirteen dolls (4-4-5) but it proved to be in vain as they lost out to hosts The Gladiators ‘B’ 2-1. Chris Webb hit a six in his eleven dolls for Glads in the leg scores of 18-15, 17-22, 22-20.

The Crown hit more dolls than their visitors North Oxford Con Club ‘B’ (64-62) but still lost out 2-1.

Crown hit an impressive 27 in the opening leg with the club men replying with 18. The Con club levelled in the next leg 20-17 and then won the third and deciding leg 23-20. Ray Townsend top scored with13 dolls (4-4-5) for the Con Club.

The two Six Bells Kidlington teams met in Section 3 and it was the D team obtaining victory 3-0 over the A team.

They comfortably won all three legs 22-18, 21-13, 20-16.

Steve Ward was top dog with 13 dolls (5-5-3).

RESULTS

GREENE KING OXFORD &

DISTRICT LEAGUE

Premier & Section 1: New Club A 0, Swan A 3; Bullnose Morris A 3, Garsington SC A 0; Six Bells A 0, Gladiators Club A 3; Woodman 1, Yarnton BL 2; George A 2, Black Prince 1.

Section 2: Swan B 3, New Club B 0; Six Bells A 0, Six Bells D 3; Gladiators Club B 2, Donnington Club D 1; The Crown 1, North Oxford Con Club B 2; Queens Head 2, Red Lion 1.

Section 3: Chequers A 3, King & Queen 0; Chequers C 3, Six Bells B 0; Masons Arms A 0, The George B 3; Florence Park A 3, Tiddington CC 0.

Section 4: Berkshire House 2, The Blackbird 1; Garsington Sports B 3, Red Lion A Old Marston 0; Green Road Club B 2; Littlemore BL 1; Three Horseshoes 1, Masons Arms B 2.

Section 5: The Swan C 1, Democrats Club A 2; Red Lion B Old Marston 0, Rose Hill Club A 3; Donnington Club C 2, Six Bells B 1; Black Swan 1, Red Lion Yarnton 2.

Section 6: White Hart A 1, Chequers B 2; Rose Hill Club B 1, Seacourt Bridge 2; Fox & Goat 1, Pheasant Inn 2.

Section 7: Northway Club B 0, Northway Club A 3; Original Swan A 2, Bullnose Morris B 1; Marston BL 1, Florence Park B 2.

Section 8: Democrats Club B 0, Northway Club C 3; Black Horse 1, Kidlington FC 2; Red Lion A 2, Catherine Wheel 1.

Section 9: Corner House 2, White Hart B 1; Kings Arms 2, Original Swan B 1; Headington Con Club 0, Bletchingdon Sports Club 3.

Sixers: B Townsend (Gladiators A) 2, B Ruffels (Garsington Sports A), C Buckingham (The Woodman), J Townsend (The Swan A), L Purcell (The George A), C Webb (Gladiators B), D Matthews (Queens Head), R Cooper (Rose Hill B).

Blobbers: D Middleton (Masons Arms A), M Darch (Masons Arms B), M Davies (Rose Hill B), R Heath (Northway Club C), V Kemish, A Bracey (Headington Con Club), P Dyer (Kings Arms), S Robertson, J Galvin (Corner House), H Morgan (White Hart Wytham).

Top Scorers: 16 – B Townsend (Gladiators A); 15 – J Townsend (Swan A); 13 – B Ruffels (Garsington Sports A), P Goulding, R Goodall (New Club A), L Purcell (The George A), S Walton (Donnington Club D), R Townsend (North Oxford Con B), S Ward (Six Bells D), L Johnson (Garsington Sports Club B), C Barrett (Chequers B).

BICESTER & DISTRICT LEAGUE

(sponsored by Hook Norton Brewery)

Premier & Div 1: Launton S&SC A 3, Black Bull B 0; Muddy Duck 0, Nut Tree 3; White Horse A 3, Crown A 0; Black Bull A 2, Shakespeare 1.

Div 2: Highfield SC A 3, White Horse B 0; Barley Mow 1, Ashton Club 2; Bell Bicester 3, Red Lion Finmere 0; Bull Inn A 0, The Lion 3.

Div 3: Brill S&SC B 2, Prince of Wales 1; Red Cow 1, Highfield SC B 2; Red Lion Islip 3, Ex Services 0; White Horse A 2, Bull & Butcher B 1.

Div 4: Chandos Arms 1, Safari Garden 2; Bull & Butcher A 0, Brill S&SC A 3; Crown B 3, Fountain A 0; White Hart Wanderers 2, Chearsley Cricketers 1.

Div 5: Red Lion Stratton Audley 1, Nightingale 2; Black Bull Divas 0, Launton S&SC B 3; Hundred Acres 0, KEA 3; Poachers Pocket 1, Eight Bells 2.

Div 6: Plough Marsh Gibbon 3, Bull Inn B 0; Crown Gawcott 2, Butchers Arms 1; Fountain B 0, White Lion B 3.

Sixer: E Gordon (White Lion A).