North Oxford B are relegated from Division 1 of the Wilson OLTA's Ladies 3-Pair League and Goring look like joining them after both suffered heavy defeats last weekend.

While North Oxford A, who have a 100 per cent record, look to be marching inexorably towards the title, their B team have struggled all season, and their 7-1 defeat at Cholsey meant they finished their campaign pointless.

Ces Wheeler and Ruth Ballantyne were unbeaten for Cholsey.

Goring's hopes of avoiding the drop have not been helped by them being deducted three points for conceding a match, and they too look destined for Division 2 after Oxford City crushed them 9-0.

Julie Wakeford and Jo Love dropped only three games in their six sets, and like Oxford Sports A, City still have a chance - albeit a slim one - of catching North Oxford A at the top.

Table-topping Thame bosted their chances of winning Division 2 by beating second-placed Witney 5-3 with Maria Lawton and Jenny McLeod comfortably winning all their matches Meanwhile, Bicester turned up the heat at the top of Men's Division 1 in the 2-Pair League with a 4-0 win over Oxford City.

Rob Pink and Ryan Steward comfortably won all their sets, and second pair Craig Naylor and Rob Smith came through a first-set tie-break against Duncan Lockett and Alistair Gilla.

Bicester are now just a point behind Thame in the race for the title, with Norham Gardens' 3-1 defeat at Oxford Sports A seriously damaging their challenge.

Sports triumphed in two tie-breakers, and also had Ed Duncan and Jim Baker battling hard to beat Peter Mann and Ben Davis 7-5, 6-7, 6-1.

The win boosts Sports' hopes of staying in Division 1.

Reigning champions, Cholsey A, have found it much harder this season, but they helped their survival chances with a 2-2 draw against Brackley.

Tim McClarty from Oxfordshire made it to the quarter-finals of the HSBC Road to Wimbledon after his opponent, Simon Howson, the No.8 seed from Yorkshire, retired.

3-PAIR LEAGUE.

Ladies' Div 1: Oxford City 9, Goring 0; Cholsey 7.5, North Oxford B 1.5. Div 2: Thame 5.5, Witney 3.5; Banbury B 2, North Oxford C 7.

Mixed Div 1: Banbury 2, Oxford City 7. Div 2: Oxford City B 5.5, Thame 3.5.

2-PAIR LEAGUE.

Men's Div 1: Oxford Sports 3, Norham Gardens 1; Faringdon 0, Thame 4; Cholsey 2, Brackley 2. Div 2: Wantage B 1, Bicester B 3; Hanney 2, Abingdon 2; Cholsey B 1, Norham Gardens B 3. Div 4: Benson B 2, Oxford City C 2. Div 5: Wheatley 2, Witney 2; Wychwood 4, Watlington 0; Faringdon B 4, North Oxford 0 (con). Div 6: Colston 3, Witney B 1. Div 7: Banbury C 2, Oxford Sports B 2; David Lloyd Leisure B 4, Blewbury 0; Long Crendon 2.5, Mapledurham B 1.5; Wantage C 2.5, Abingdon C 1.5; Bicester C , Thame B 3.5; Kingston Bagpuize B 2, North Oxford B 2. Div 8: Charlbury B 0, Bicester D 4; Oxford Sports C 0, Goring B 4.

Mixed Div 1: Banbury West End 0, Bicester 4. Div 4: Portcullis 2, Wantage C 2.