RAY Gaskins is the new Oxfordshire men’s singles champion after coming from behind to beat Banbury Borough’s Mark Sykes 21-19 in a thrilling final at Chipping Norton.

The Headington bowler trailed 16-13, before picking up seven shots in two of the next three ends to take a 20-18 lead.

Gaskins was holding game at the next end with two shots

But then a fantastic last bowl from Sykes saw him clinch a single to extend the match.

At the next end, Gaskins held on to his advantage to clinch the title.

There was another exciting finish in the two-wood singles final between Watlington’s Sam Watts and Carterton’s Stuart Richens.

Watts picked up a crucial double to force an extra end.

And then he delivered a fantastic second bowl to draw the jack and become only the fourth name on the trophy since its inception in 2012.

Watlington’s Shane Cooper clinched his first Oxfordshire Under 25 singles title at his final attempt with a comfortable 21-8 success over David Leighfield (West Witney).

There was an even bigger victory in the pairs final.

West Witney’s Will Parker and Kevin Alder picked up 17 points without reply in the second half of the match to secure a commanding 29-10 success over Banbury Borough’s Darren Sharpe and A J Docherty.

In the all-Headington triples final, Colin Whitehead, Ray Gaskins and Nick Rae-Welsh defied a late fight-back from John Philpott, Nathan Lewis and Howard Watts to edge home 16-14, having at one stage led 15-6.

A remarkable six-shot pick-up on the very first end paved the way for Carterton’s Tim Jupp, Gordon Walker, Steve Aldren and Stuart Richens to win the fours final against Headington’s John Philpott, Lewis, Gary May and Watts.

Headington fought back to level at 11-11, before their opponents raced away for a 27-13 success.