BANBURY Borough regained the Hawker Cup, coming from behind on both rinks to record a comfortable 38-26 win against Headington C.

Borough’s Joe Abercrombie, Jamie Wilkinson, Darren Sharpe and Mark Sykes found themselves 6-11 down after 12 ends, but recovered with a four and two singles to move into a one-shot lead after 15.

Although their opponents levelled, Banbury cruised through the closing stages of the rink, picking up eight shots over the next four ends to close the game at 20-12.

It was a similar story in the second rink as Banbury’s Paul McLeod, John McGeough, Keith Holloway and AJ Docherty trailed by nine shots after nine ends.

Again Banbury struck back, taking four of the next five ends to close to within two shots.

Headington could add just one more single to their score as Borough took five of the last six ends, collecting seven shots to win 18-14.

Banbury secured their place in the final with a 41-36 victory over Headington A, while their opponents booked their berth with a 22-12 victory over Middle Barton.

Headington A secured third place with a 49-34 win over Middle Barton.

SHIPLAKE came from behind to claim their place in the final of the Oxfordshire League Cup for the first time with a 69-63 victory over Watlington.

Watlington led by 12 shots and were winning in all four rinks at the halfway stage, but an excellent four from Matt Shepherd sparked Shiplake’s revival.

Despite a good victory on Les Wescott’s rink, it was not to be Watlington’s night as Shiplake cruised to victory in the other three to claim their spot in the final.

They will face holders Headington A in the final at Kidlington on Thursday, September 8, after they overcame City & County A 69-66½ in their semi-final.

Two men short, City & County needed to start brightly and they did, taking a lead of 11 shots after eight ends.

But captain Mark Charlett spearheaded Headington’s fightback as they crept to narrow victories in three of their rinks – despite trailing heavily in the fourth.

Headington needed three shots from their final end to claim victory and duly delivered, romping home by five shots to keep their title defence alive.

OXFORDSHIRE Under 25s travel to Leamington Spa to take on Lincolnshire for a place in the final of the White Rose Trophy on Sunday.

Watlington have four representatives in the eight-man squad – Chris Gilkes, Shane Cooper, Sam Watts and Dan Swanson.

Orren Bennet (Carterton), Bradley Squires (West Witney), Jamie Wilkinson (Banbury Borough) and David Leighfield (Chipping Norton) complete the team.

Oxfordshire Ladies Under 31s take on Northamptonshire in the first round of the Amy Rose Bowl on Saturday.

Jodie Flitter and Katie Glenn, both of Oxford City & County, lead the two rinks.