Kennington are still in the hunt for the Johnson Buildbase Oxford League Premier Section title after a 4-1 win at Didcot Conservative Club, writes PETE EWINS.

Steven Sheard (5,400), Mark Trafford (7,030), Kevin Godfrey (5,670) and Ian Gordon (5,280) won for Kennington. Geoff Mace (12,280) stopped a whitewash.

It keeps the pressure on leaders Vikings, who won 3-2 at Democrats Club.

Bob Allsworth won the decider 5,010-2,480 against Richard Garrett.

Ian Moss (6,050), Alan Oliver (7,180) and Bob Allsworth (5,010) had been on target for Vikings, with Terry Green (5,380) and John Patey (9,970, break 9,820) replying.

Masons A went down 3-2 to their B side.

Ernie Smith was the B team’s match-winner with a 4,700-3,470 victory over Mick Murphy in the decider.

Chris Webb (13,420, break 10,500) and Phil Light also shone for the B team, with Maxi McDonnell and Dave Rose on song for the A string.

Gladiators Club A moved into second place in Section 1 with a 3-2 home win over Comrades Club.

Keith Gardner (6,810), Bob Pincombe (6,160) and Bert Lovegrove were Gladiators’ winners, while Chris Storch (6,040) and Simon Ellam, who played out the table bar the last ball to score 18,030 were Comrades winners.

Marlborough Club are now favourites for the Section 2 title after a 5-0 win at Dolphin.

Chris Plant (2,950), Chris Bateman (2,090), Ian Major, Chris Iagoe and Arthur McIntyre (4,070) reeled off the whitewash.

Marlborough now have a seven-point cushion over Vikings B, who won 3-2 at home to Headington Conservative Club.

Gladiators Club B are now looking good for the Section 3 title after a 3-2 winagainst Shelley.

Pete Smith Phil Clark and Neil Cunliffe were their winners.

Results: Didcot Con Club 1,Kennington 4; Democrats 2, Vikings A 3; Masons B 3, Masons A 2; Dolphin 0, Marlborough 5; Shelley 2, Gladiators B 3; Gladiators A 3, Comrades 2; Vikings B 3, Headington Con Club 2.