Brazilian Elson Costa was the star as promoted Holton A began their Division 1 campaign with a bang by beating Forum A 8-2.

Costa set the standard, defeating the redoubtable Karl Bushell on the way to a maximum.

He was well supported by Andy Misseldine and Mark Scott. Both found Bushell too strong, but won two matches each to condemn Forum to their worse defeat for a long time.

Bicester A stormed their way to the top, beating Forum C 10-0 thanks to Jeff Rigby, Jason Tustain and Tony Gorman.

Forum’s Marco Zhang took Gorman the full distance, before losing 11-7 in the decider.

Rutherford beat Vikings B 8-2, Neil Hurford and Tony Stead sealing the win with a maximum apiece.

British Rail got back on track with a 7-3 victory over Forum B thanks to two wins each from Greg Donovan, Andy McColgan and James Lovelock.

Vikings D lead the way in Division 2 after beating Vikings E 7-3.

After a long drawn-out contest, Markus Wagner emerged as the key man with a maximum. Things could easily have been different, though, as the last three matches ended 12-10 in the decider.

Gladiators A beat Haddenham A 9-1, with maximums for Kevin Giles and Paul Knight.

Dawn Pearce and Paul Humphrey proved too much for Forum E as Begbroke cruised to a 7-3 win.

Forum I are top of Division 3 after beating Bicester C 6-4.

No-one from Forum could touch Bicester’s Jack Shardlow, but Cameron Patterson, Guy Plowman and Andrew Legge won two each for Forum to get the job done.

Forum G beat Witney 7-3 with a good team performance. Terry Ruane, Matthew Simmonds and Alasdair McPherson all chipped in with two wins each for Forum.

In Division 4, Vikings H remain top. despite losing 7-3 to Holton B.

A Brian Dobson maximum sealed it for Holton.

Vikings G move into second place by beating Forum J 6-4, despite a maximum from Forum’s James Ro-wan.

RESULTS Div 1: Bicester A 10 (J Rigby 3, J Tustain 3, T Gorman 3), Forum C 0; Vikings B 2, RAL 8 (N Hurford 3, T Stead 3); Forum B 3, British Rail 7; Forum A 2, Holton A 8 (E Costa 3).

Div 2: Gladiators A 9 (K Giles 3, P Knight 3), Haddenham A 1; Vikings D 7 (M Wagner 3), Vikings E 3; Begbroke 7 (D Pearce 3, P Humphrey 3), Forum E 3.

Div 3: Bicester D 7 (D Badham 3), Forum H 3; Forum I 6, Bicester C 4 (J Shardlow 3); Forum G 7, Witney 3; Gladiators B 3, Vikings F 7 (L Fisher 3).

Div 4: Forum L 7 (E Carter 3), Bicester E 3; Forum J 4 (J Rowan 3), Vikings G 6; Holton B 7 (B Dobson 3), Vikings H 3.