SWAN A lifted the Premier Section title – but it could hardly have been closer in a dramatic final round of Greene King Oxford & District League fixtures, writes ANDY BEAL.

Nearest challengers Gladiators did all they could, winning 25-21, 29-22, 31-12 at home to Six Bells A.

Geoff Townsend top-scored with 13 dolls and the whitewash ensured Swan A had to pick up two points to finish top.

Visitors New Club set 26 in the opening leg, a total the home side only surpassed thanks to a six from Terry Stuart (6-3-4) and four from anchor man Keith Powell.

The second leg went to three sticks, where Swan set an impressive 16 to scoop the title.

They needed it too, as New Club’s last four throwers scored 20 to take the final leg – anchor man Pete Shepherd (3-4-6) clanging off all six.

Kevin Stuart (5-3-6) signed off in style for George, bagging a six in his 14-doll haul in their 2-1 win at Black Prince.

Teammate James Morrison (4-4-5) chipped in with a baker’s dozen in leg scores of 26-24, 21-32, 29-22.

Ian Grant (4-4-5) was top dog for the hosts.

There will be a play-off for the Section 1 title after Garsington Sports A and Yarnton British Legion recorded 3-0 wins to leave them level.

Garsington cruised to the first two legs 30-23, 35-22 at home to Bullnose A, but almost came unstuck in the third.

Bullnose set with 18 and what should have been a formality almost turned into disaster.

They struggled and needed Trevor Greenaway to whip off three dolls just to tie, before getting their act together in the three-stick shoot-out.

Swan B made it a double for the pub by winning the Section 2 title.

Their 2-1 victory at New Club B was enough to secure top spot, while closest rivals Six Bells D could only beat their A side 2-1.

Section 3 will have a three-way playoff between Florence Park A, Vikings A and Chequers A.

Florence Park started the final round of fixtures a point behind their two rivals, but were the only side to win.

They beat Tiddington Cricket Club 2-1 with leg scores of 19-18, 20-15, 15-19 while Vikings A threw away a lead to lose 2-1 to their B team.

Chequers A also slipped up after taking the first leg on three sticks, only for opponents King & Queen to take the next two legs.

The league’s top-doll scorer was not decided until the very last throw of the night.

Going into the final games, Jon Townsend (The Swan A) led Roger Goodall (New Club A) and Kevin Giles (Gladiators A) by one and two dolls respectively.

Giles blew his chance in the first leg, only scoring one.

The other two were playing against each other, so Goodall knew his four in the opening leg edged him in front when Townsend could only hit two.

The pair both scored four in the next leg, before Townsend added another two with his final throws.

Goodall held his nerve to score three, retaining the title.

NORTHWAY A finished top of Section 7, despite losing 2-1 to their B team.

A 17-11 win in the final leg proved decisive, as nearest rivals Bullnose B went down 2-1 to Original Swan A.

Black Horse galloped to win the three-way fight to finish top of Section 8.

Maximum points at Kidlington FC would have made sure, but they could only win 14-10, 7-17, 15-12.

It opened the door for Cricketers Arms, but they came up just short away to Golden Ball B.

The home side won the opening leg on three sticks after it was tied 13-13.

A shoot-out was also required for the second leg, which ended 15-15, but this time Cricketers came out on top.

Cricketers took the final leg 19-12, but they fell short of forcing a play-off.

Lee Worral for Golden Ball (3-4-3) and Cricketers’ David Nelms (3-5-2) threw well.

Bletchingdon Sports timed their run to the summit in Section 9 to perfection.

With Golden Ball A having played all their games, the chasers knew two points would finish the job.

They responded superbly, throwing their best score of the season to win all three legs 17-6, 19-10, 17-14 at home to Headington Con Club.

THE two unresolved league title races will be decided in play-offs this evening.

Gladiators Club will host the Section 1 contest between Garsington Sports A and Yarnton British Legion.

The three-way battle for glory in Section 3 takes place at Littlemore British Legion.

Finals night will be on October 14 at the Kassam Stadium.

Teams or players with trophies return them to either Gladiators Club or Kevin Giles at 27 Rosamund Road, Wolvercote.