Vikings E booked their place in the first round of the Oxford & District League’s Aubrey Hughes Handicap Shield with a narrow victory against Bicester D.

Bicester’s Lewis Sumner, Keith Holliday and Stan Harding were awarded a head start of 185 points, but Eamonn Deeley, Anne and Paul Borrowdale stuck doggedly to their task to emerge at the end of the evening winners by 11 points.

Forum E’s Paul Whitford, Lorne Lone and Thomas Bowden had to make up 175 points and seemed on course to do it against clubmates Forum I.

But a 21-20, 21-11 victory by Paul Wood over Whitford, and good support from John Benford and Brian Sandison, saw Forum I turn the tie in their favour and clinch victory by 16 points.

Gladiators B eased past Forum G by 22 points. Gladiator's Kevin Giles, Paul Knight and Dave Gardner proved to be too strong, but John Duncalfe, Alasdair McPherson and Anthony Howgego put up a good fight.

Their 105-point start was inadequate in the end, but not before Howgego took one end 21-14 against Gardner.

Forum F used their 105 point start, and some exceptional performances to defeat Terry Ruane, Bob Hallett and Chris Smith of Forum D by 27 points.

RESULTS 1st round: Vikings C 386, Begbroke (+85) 434; Forum G (+105) 390, Gladiators B 412; Bicester A 414, Bicester C (+175) 368; Forum D 384, Forum F (+105) 411; Forum E 402, Forum I (+175) 418; Bicester D (+185) 399, Vikings E 410. Vikings B conceded against Bicester B as did Forum B against Forum J.