REIGNING champions Carterton emerged as the main challengers to leaders Headington with a convincing victory away to close rivals West Witney in Division 1 of the Bridle Insurance Oxford & District League.

The key to the visitors’ 88-76 success was a convincing 19-shot victory by Robbie Clanfield’s rink.

Witney captain, Kevin Alder lost his rink by a single shot due to the outstanding play of Carterton’s Joe Justins.

In the closest match, Watlington won 80-79 at home to City & County A.

The teams were level with the final end to play. Mark Plested, leading for Watlington, put his first bowl so close that the opposition were unable to beat it.

Banbury Central A won 82-64 away to South Oxford A, due to the Keith McNeil’s rink’s 18-shot winning margin.

BRIDLE INSURANCE OXFORD & DISTRICT LEAGUE RESULTS

Division 1

Watlington 80 (5), City & County A 79 (1) (Watlington skips first): R Gilkes 16, A Ley 29; S Gilkes 26, C Pollard 16; S Cooper 21, K Croxon 19; S Watts 17, C Earl 15.

South Oxford A 64 (1), Banbury Central A 82 (5) (S Oxford skips first): D Claridge 21, L Young 18; J Hall 15, W Campion 16; M Keen 11, K McNeil 29; K Mobley 17, I Whelpton 19.

West Witney 76 (1½), Carterton 88 (4½) (West Witney skips first): K Alder 22, B Sparkes 23; A McIntyre 9, R Clanfield 28; P Skidmore 18, P Sharman 18; W Parker 27, S Timms 19.

Division 2

Kidlington 90 (4½), Chipping Norton 63 (1½) (Kidlington skips first): J Woodward 25, T Sealey 9; M Peterson 19, K Field 19; P McGrath 19, N Siford 22; C Cox 27, J Martin 13.

Shiplake 86 (5½) Adderbury 74 (½) (Shiplake skips first): B Lambourne 21, T Ely 21; R Buckett 23, B Ogilvie 17; B Evans 18, P Gladden 16; G Kennedy 24, C Hall 20.

Division 3

Blackbird Leys 87 (3), Bicester 80 (3) (Blackbird Leys skips first): A Fleming 18, R Herbert 20; J Baldwin 40, A King 17; P Sage 12, A Hall 25; R Brain 17, K Taylor 18.

Banbury Central B 93 (5½), Hanborough 68 (½) (Banbury skips first): T McKenna 28, C Hayley 11; M Leather 21, K Williams 18; R Cox 18, G Haynes 18; J Pickering 26, M Oliver 21.

Chadlington 78 (5) Headington B 65 (1) (Chadlington skips first): A Hobbs 19, W Hawes 17; R Arthur 24, S Gould 13; P Radbone 19, A Manger 19; C Smart 16, M Kershaw 16.

Division 4

Oxford University Press 70 (1) South Oxford B 81 (5) (Oxford skips first): R Cann 17, D Bye 23; P Tweddle 15, D Lyne 22; T Cox 22, J Guest 17; J Curtis 16, P Powell 19.

West Oxford 74 (5), Woodstock 61 (1) (West Oxford skips first): G Richardson 24, B Clarke 16; J Parker 19, T Stevens 14; M Alderson 21, P Shipton 10; C Sherwood 10, R Perry 21.