Oxfordshire came from behind to win their Middleton Cup trial at home to Northamptonshire.
The 131-129 victory boosted competition to make the squad for the first cup game against Middlesex on May 31.
Testing, windy conditions at Oxford City & County added to the challenge and the visitors made a bright start, leading by 16 shots at five ends.
But the hosts were level after 15 ends and they edged the match during a tense finish.
Alan Prew’s rink of David Taylor, Ian Henwood and Calvin Carpenter were the big victors, finishing 31-13 ahead.
Mark Charlett’s side of Sam Watts, Gary May and Jason King were in charge throughout, winning 27-17.
The third rink also came out on top, as Baden Sparkes led Mick Nash, Shaun Claridge and Stuart Richens to a 23-20 success.
RESULTS
Oxon 131, Northants 129 (Oxon rinks first)
Rink 1: S Watts, G May, J King, M Charlett 27; T O’Leary, C Cinato, J Freeman, I Walker 17.
Rink 2: D Taylor, I Henwood, C Carpenter, A Prew 31; N Rolfe, J Bryan, P Reeve, N McKee 13.
Rink 3: M Nash, S Claridge, S Richens, B Sparkes 23; R Lemon, D Height, D Kovacs, A Ashby 20.
Rink 4: D May, M Hancock, C Whitehead, I Snowdon 12; A Brown, M Gearey, J Haines, V Gearey 30.
Rink 5: L Young, S Cooper, B Lambourne, P Sharman 22; D Love, M Pownall, A Hunter, A Manton 25.
Rink 6: AJ Docherty, P Comley, R Redford, M Sykes 16; D Flippance, D Walker, J Brown, R Tansley 24.
- PAUL Skidmore and Mike Andrew have been drafted in as reserve cover for the Middleton Cup trial at Gloucestershire on Saturday (2).
Oxfordshire: K Holloway, P Comley, S Claridge, A Prew; R Pink, G Schwab, R Redford, M Sykes; S Watts, R Clanfield, C Whitehead, B Sparkes; D May, C Weller, K Alder, M Charlett; A Kemish, S Cooper, B Lambourne, P Sharman; D Taylor, L Young, N Lewis, C Carpenter. Res: P Skidmore, M Andrew.
- TWINS Dean and Gary May will make their Balcombe Trophy (National County double rink) debuts this weekend.
The 23-year-olds are part of the Oxfordshire side taking on Berkshire at Reading on Sunday (10.30).
Ian Henwood’s outstanding early season form has been rewarded with a reserve place.
Oxfordshire: D May, P Sharman, M Sykes, H Watts; K Holloway, G May, M Charlett, A Prew (capt). Res: AJ Docherty, I Henwood.
- OXFORDSHIRE ladies lost to Worcestershire in their county game held at South Oxford.
Oxfordshire 108, Worcestershire 122 (Oxon skips first): D Knight 17, J Parfitt 23; C Penson 22, E Allen 17; S Rogers 20, M Borthuck 18; W Cross 16, S Hemming 26; C Campion 18, V Hall 20; K Hawes 15, B Cresswell 18.
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