INDIVIDUAL performances counted for nothing as the top four scorers in the Premier Section all ended up on the losing side, writes ANDY BEAL.

Philip Adams was in sensational form, clanging off 16 dolls (4-6-6), but the Cricketers B went down 2-1 at The Vikings Sports Club B from Section 1.

Alan Davies bagged a six in his 11-doll haul for the hosts, who won 14-20, 27-26, 34-27.

Kevin Giles also tasted defeat after hitting 16 dolls (5-6-5) as Three Pigeons lost 3-0 at home to Red Lion B Eynsham in a close encounter.

Pigeons’ anchor man Neil Lyon whipped off the five dolls needed to tie the opening leg 27-27, but the visitors took it on three sticks.

Red Lion went on to edge the next two 28-27, 28-25.

Mick Berry’s 15 dolls (4-6-5) could not inspire Red Lion A Eynsham, who went down 2-1 to visitors Gladiators A.

The first two legs were shared 22-27, 27-22, before the away side took the third 28-22.

Rounding off a dismal night for the top flight’s highest scorers, Six Bells C Kidlington lost 2-1 at home to Garsington Sports A despite Roger Goodall (6-4-4) and Andy Beal (3-6-4) hitting form.

The Sportsmen, whose top scorer was Barry Ruffles (4-5-4) took the first leg on three sticks after it finished 27-27 and they followed it up with a 28-27 success.

Six Bells grabbed a point in the final leg, 28-27.

The losing trend continued in Section 2 as Ray Townsend’s 15 dolls (4-6-5) were in vain as Black Prince B lost 2-1 at home to Team Monarch 20-15, 20-21, 22-20.

Red Lion B Yarnton’s unbeaten run was extended to six matches with a 3-0 victory at the Three Horseshoes.

Mark Poulter hit 13 in the 24-17, 18-17, 23-17 win.

Section 4 leaders Original Swan A also swept to a whitewash at Tiddington Cricket Club.

Craig Greenough (6-4-4) and John Henigan (5-5-3) led them to a 20-19, 21-19, 21-16 win.

North Oxford Con Club A won 3-0 at home to Donnington Club A in Section 5.

After edging the opener 12-11, they needed three sticks after the second leg was tied 16-16, before securing maximum points with a 14-13 win in the final leg.

George A crashed to a first defeat in Section 6, losing 3-0 at Kidlington Sports Club A, who triumphed 17-15, 14-11, 11-9.

Cricketers Arms A kept their winning record intact with a 3-0 home success over Marston British Legion in Section 7.

They won the opening leg 14-11, but anchor man Gareth Williams needed a five to tie the next 10-10, going on to take it on three sticks before sealing the third leg 20-10.

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TOP SCORERS

K Giles 16 (Three Pigeons), P Adams 16 (Cricketers B), M Berry 15 (Red Lion A Eynsham), R Townsend 15 (Black Prince B), C Greenough 14 (Original Swan A), R Goodall 14 (Six Bells C Kidlington), A Beal 13 (Six Bells C Kidlington), B Ruffles 13 (Garsington Sports A), J Henigan 13 (Original Swan A), M Poulter 13 (Red Lion B Yarnton), N Lyon 13 (Three Pigeons).