Skipper Andy Huxley was Westcott A’s hero as the Division 4 side beat Division 3A Headington RBL A by just two points on aggregate in the Gentworks Oxford & District League's Sherlock Cup second round.

Francis Mapplethorpe put the Headington side ahead with a resounding 61-29 win against Pelham Sparks.

Headington captain Elaine Cox then beat Matt Taylor 59-28 to put her side 2-0 up and 63 points ahead on aggregate.

Huxley defeated Tony Swatton 79-48 in his first match to make it 2-1, only for Mapplethorpe to beat Sparks for a second time to restore Headington’s two-frame advantage and extend their overall lead to 53 points.

Taylor then gained revenge on Cox by winning the fifth frame 66-32.

This left his captain the task of winning the final frame by 20 or more to send Westcott through on aggregate.

Having led the match from frame one, Headington were denied when Huxley potted the final black to win the frame 65-44 and snatch victory for the home side by two points.

RESULTS

Simonds Cup 2nd round: Ashton A 0, New Club A 4; Eynsham A 4, Witney E 1; Fieldside A 4, Witney B 0; Green Road A 4, Witney A 1; Littlemore RBL C 4, House Club B 0; Riley G 1, Eynsham B 5.

Sherlock Cup 2nd round: Cowley Workers A 4, Witney C 0; Headington RBL B 4, Cowley Con C 2; Westcott A 4, Headington RBL A 3; Witney D 2, Oracle A 4; Yarnton RBL A 4, Oracle B 0.

Sherman Pairs: A Toole & L Thompson bt K Philpott & M Augar.

Highest breaks: M Challen (Littlemore RBL C) 69, J Buck (Littlemore RBL C) 57, Brown (Littlemore RBL C) 31, P Franklin (Riley G) 23.

OXFORD & DISTRICT BILLIARDS LEAGUE

Ashton 3, Oxford Bowls 0; Oracle A 2, Riley B 1; Cowley Con Club A 3, Cowley Con Club B 0; Riley A 2, Oracle B 1; Fieldside 2, Eynsham 1; Thame 0, New Club 3.