QUARRY Gate B's fine start to the season in Section 3 came to an abrupt halt when they entertained Morris Motors Social Club A.

The visitors stormed into a 3-0 lead thanks to Dennis Moss, Dave Hopkins and Bob Harwood.

Gate pulled one back when Stuart Carter (180) beat Alan Johnson, but Martin Andrews restored the Motormen's lead.

John Merritt beat Brian Rush to make it 4-2, but Motors won the pairs 2-1 for a fine 6-3 win, inflicting a first defeat of the season on the Quarry Gate.

Newcomers Crown Inn, Charlton -on-Otmoor, made it four wins from four games when they visited George Bar B.

The home side opened the scoring when Bob Boyce (180) beat Andy Douglas, but the Crown hit back to lead 2-1 through Dave Buckingham and Joe Palmer, the latter finishing one leg with a brilliant 154.

Darryl Ingram levelled for George, John Wigg then defeated Justin Barrett to edge the Crown into a 3-2 lead, only for Steve Pladdys to make it all square.

The Crown would not be denied, however, and a 3-0 pairs success sealed the verdict 6-3.

Red Lion B visited Section 4 rivals Bowyers Arms, where Richard Reveley and Gary Prowton gave them a 2-0 lead.

Bowyers roared back via Chris Buckingham, Steve Fisher (180), Dave Fawdrey and Mike Woodbridge but Red Lion sealed their first win of the season by capturing the pairs 3-0.

Follybridge Inn proved too strong for the visiting Fox and Hounds as they cruised to a comfortable 8-1 victory in Section 9. Alan Foster notched the Fox and Hounds' only point.

Bullnose Morris B stay in contention for the top spot after a 7-2 triumph at Shelley Arms D.

In the ladies league, wins from Anne Marks, Eileen White and Ann Reason gave Donnington Community Centre A a cracking start at Six Bells B in Section 4.

However, Bells levelled the singles at 3-3 and a 2-1 pairs success saw them to an overall 5-4 verdict.

RESULTS Men

Premier & Section 1: Shelley C 2, Cowley CC C 7; Angel 8, College Oak 1; Cowley CC B 6, Shears 3.

Section 2: Nuffield A 5, L'more RBL 4; Cricketers C 5, Shelley 4; Red Lion A 3, Steventon 6.

Section 3: Quarry Gate 3, Morris Motors A 6; George Bar B 3, Crown 6; Masons A 5, George Inn 4.

Section 4: Bowyers Arms 4, Red Lion B 5; Black Horse 5, Nuffield Arms 4.

Section 5: Ox 6, Nelson 3.

Section 6: Gladiators 6, JR Hospital SC 3.

Section 7: Chester Arms 4, Quarry Gate 5; Masons C 6, Cricketers B 3.

Section 9: Folly Bridge 8, Fox & Hounds 1; Shelley D 2, Bullnose Morris 7.

Section 10: A1 Pool Club 6, Boundary Hse 0.

Ladies

Premier & Section 1: Lamb 2, Blackbird Bar 7.

Section 2: Vikings SC 8, Cowley Workers 1; Donnington CC B 7, 3 Horseshoes 2.

Section 3: L'more RBL 6, Fairview 3.

Section 4: Six Bells B 5, Donnington CC A 4; Cowley Workers B 5, Grove Hse B 4; Railway SC A 4, Berinsfield CC 5; Golden Ball 5, Florence Park B 4.

Section 5: Wolvercote RBL 4, Cricketers 5; Folly Bridge 6, Crown Hse A 3; Florence Pk A 3, Rose Hill CC 6.

Section 6: Green Rd SC 3, Catherine Wheel B 6; Red Lion 5, Marston RBL 4.

Section 7: Berinsfield CC B 7, PoW 2; Six Bells 3, Nuffield 6.

Section 8: Masons B 4, Six Bells A 5; Catherine Wheel A 3, Black Bull 6.

Section 9: JR Hospital SC 6, Cumnor CC 3; Catherine Wheel D 6, Jack Russell 3.

Section 10: PoW B 7, Jolly Postboys 2; Shelley C 5, Masons A 4; Somerset Hse 3, Cavalier 6; Quarry Gate A 5, Railway SC 3.