THERE were some nail-biting contests in the second round of group matches in the Oxford & District League’s Aubrey Hughes Handicap Shield.

Holton B’s Bob Ford, Paul Guest and John Joyce, who were given a start of 315 points by British Rail, needed an average of three or four points per game.

They doubted they could do it each time they lost 11-0 or 11-1, but they came to the last game of the doubles needing five points.

Somehow they got eight for a four-point success.

In the closest tie, Viking C’s trio of Max Jackson, Feng Gu and Ken Rae, given a start of 135, won by two against their A team.

Bicester B’s Andy Crofts, Adrian Bishop and Graham Butcher, gave away 32 and won by three points against Forum G.

Results: Vikings C 424 (+139), Vikings A 422; Forum G 371 (+32), Bicester B 374; Holton B 444 (+315), British Rail 440; Bicester C 397 (+104), Gladiators A 406; Forum I 330 (+19), Forum F 354; Holton C 404 (+177), Forum C 429; Bicester D 472 (+210), Begbroke 423; Gladiators B 430, Forum H (+161) 380; Vikings D 492 (+340), Bicester A 440.