CARTERTON took advantage of a bye for leaders Headington to close the gap in Division 1 of the Bridle Insurance Oxfordshire League.

A 5-1 victory over third-placed Banbury Central saw them move just four points off the pace.

Big wins for the rinks of Tim Jupp and Chris Weeden nullified Keith McNeil’s response for Central.

City and County’s win at home to Witney Mills pushed the latter into the relegation zone.

Division 2 leaders Watlington were given a big scare by bottom club Bicester.

The latter were one end away from a memorable victory, with Paul Bannister’s rink leading after 20 ends on only to drop a five and have success snatched away by Shane Cooper.

Elsewhere, Paul Hooley’s Bicester rink held a 17-shot lead, only for Bob Gilkes to cut the gap to seven and give Watlington the points.

Witney Town’s win over Charlbury leaves them in the second promotion place.

Paul Demczak’s six on end 13 sealed victory in their match, while Eric Pitts’s rink snatched victory with threes on the final two ends having been five shots adrift after 19.

Kidlington’s 4-2 win over Banbury Central leaves them ten points clear at the top of Division 3, while .

Joe Woodward’s team picked up 12 shots in the last four ends to ensure victory on his rink.

Hanborough’s defeat of City and County means only seven points separate second from seventh.

Division 4 leaders Chadlington moved clear of Bloxham after beating their nearest rivals by nine shots.

Blackbird Leys maintained their good form and move into second place with their defeat of Woodstock, despite Dave Francis’s efforts for the visitors.

RESULTS

Division 1

South Oxford A 76 (5), Shiplake 73 (1) (S Oxford skips first): M Bracewell 21, B Lambourne 17; R Claridge 22, J Bland 15; K Mobley 18, G Kennedy 14; D Tidball 15, B Evans 27.

City & County A 106 (6), Witney Mills 52 (0) (City skips first): C Earl 23, R Barnett 13; A Ley 29, L Days 16; P Comley 26, C Weller 13; C Pollard 28, A Auger 10.

Carterton 74 (5), Banbury Central A 62 (1) (Carterton skips first): R Clanfield 21, N Galletly 15; C Weedon 23, L Campion 11; T Jupp 21, W Campion 10; G Walker 9, K McNeil 26.

Division 2

Witney Town 91 (5), Charlbury 77 (1) (Witney skips first): T Ludlow 22, D Cooper 20; W Parker 23, M Smith 17; B Bloomfield 24, E Pitts 25; P Demczak 22, D Dix 15.

West Witney 85 (5), Adderbury 60 (1) (West skips first): A McIntyre 8, C Skidmore 22; K Alder 23, T Clarke 9; P Skidmore 24, P Gladden 16; T Prew 30, T Ely 13.

Bicester 74 (1½), Watlington 78 (4½) (Bicester skips first): A Hall 16, S Gilkes 24; P Hooley 27, R Gilkes 20; K Taylor 16, S Watts 16; P Bannister 15, S Cooper 18.

Division 3

Banbury Central B 61 (2), Kidlington 82 (4) (Banbury skips first): M Leather 10, J Woodward 29; J Pickering 17, P McGrath 15; R Wilkins 22, M Brain 16; T McKenna 12, C Cox 22.

Hanborough 75 (4½), City & County B 73 (1½) (Hanborough skips first): G Haynes 15, T Gripe 25; M Oliver 19, G Powell 19; K Williams 19, N Wharton 16; G Thompson 22, B Stone 13.

Headington B 83 (5), Thame 72 (1) (Headington skips first): M Kershaw 24, P Heafey 14; R Edwards 21, M Dale 20; S Gould 21, G Penn 20; M Kirby 17, J Timms 18.

Division 4

West Oxford 52 (0), South Oxford B 105 (6) (West skips first): M Alderson 12, D Bye 29; B Murphy 12, K Clarke 26; G Richardson 10, P Power 29; C Sherwood 18, D Lyne 21.

Chadlington 74 (4), Bloxham 66 (2) (Chadlington skips first): C Smart 19, R Hopkins 13; P Radbone 17, R Higgins 18; R Arthur 23, T Gardner 14; A Hobbs 15, J Lucas 21.

Blackbird Leys 78 (5), Woodstock 72 (1) (B Leys skips first): A Fleming 25, B Dickson 19; G Roper 22, P Shipton 14; J Baldwin 23, R Collett 17; B Spencer 8, D Francis 22.