HOLTON C had the narrowest victory in the first round of group stage matches in the Oxford & District League’s Aubrey Hughes Handicap Shield.

Their team of Joe Rolls, Sharon Curtis and Mark Pursey gave away 22 points to Forum I, but still got home by 24.

Vikings B’s team of Mike Aistrop, Rob Cleese and Dom Juiwong, giving Forum E a 14-point start, won by 27.

In the all-Vikings contest, the A team gave their C opponents 165 points, but still got home by 40.

Forum D defeated Bicester C by 43, but Bicester E triumphed by 79 against Forum B.

OXFORD & DISTRICT LEAGUE RESULTS

AUBREY HUGHES HANDICAP SHIELD

Group stage week 1 (handicap in brackets): Forum E 361 (+14), Vikings B 388; Vikings D 393 (+165), Vikings A 433; Forum I 362 (+22), Holton C 386; Forum B 437, Bicester E 516(+309); Bicester C 393 (+149), Forum D 436; British Rail 440, Forum G 0 (w/o); Gladiators A 0, Forum C 440 (w/o).