Oxfordshire got their EBA Middleton Cup campaign off to a flying start with a handsome 128-105 victory over arch rivals Berkshire at Banbury Central.

A three-shot defeat by Berkshire cost Oxon dear last year as they failed to qualify from Group 3A.

But 12 months on they gained revenge in emphatic style - leading throughout and winning on five of the six rinks to pick up 20 points to Berkshire's two.

Howard Watts's four of Colin Whitehead, Nathan Lewis and Mark Charlett quickly showed Oxon meant business, storming into a 14-1 lead over the first five ends against skip Jon Stradling.

The Berkshire quartet staged a late rally, but the damage had already been done as Watts's men ran out 27-20 winners.

Calvin Carpenter's side of Nick Welsh, George Moon and Alan Ley also chalked up a seven-shot success - but it came in contrasting fashion.

Trailing 17-13 after 15 ends to skip Ian Snowdon, the Oxon four picked up 11 unanswered shots over the last six ends to triumph 24-17.

Gary Lucas's side of Keith Holloway, Barry Lambourne and Stuart Richens always held the upper hand on the way to a 19-14 win over skip Adrian Collins.

Alan Prew's four of Sammy Timms, Richard Redford and Ryan Buckett edged home 16-12 in a low-scoring clash against skip Alan Price.

And Greg Moon's rink of John Philpott, Ian Henwood and new boy Martin Timms staved off a late charge by skip Gary Stacey to triumph 21-18.

Oxon were denied a clean sweep as Mark Sykes's quartet of Remy Clanfield, Robbie Clanfield and team captain Baden Sparkes slipped to a 24-21 defeat against skip Robert Newman.

Trailing 8-1 after five ends, Sykes's men pulled it back to lead 11-10 after ten ends only to be edged out in the closing stages.

In the other Group 3A game, Hampshire beat Isle of Wight 18-4 on points.

It means Oxon's trip to face Hants at Atherley on Saturday, June 16 already has the look of a group decider.

Oxfordshire 128 (20pts), Berkshire 105 (2) (Oxon rinks first) Rink 1: J Philpott, I Henwood, M Timms, Gr Moon 21; M Knight, D Parsonson, C Brooks, G Stacey 18.

Rink 2: Re Clanfield, Ro Clanfield, B Sparkes, M Sykes 21; D W-Emberson, P Cadman, D Christie, R Newman 24.

Rink 3: N Welsh, Ge Moon, A Ley, C Carpenter 24; J Heapy, M Edney, C Holliday, I Snowdon 17.

Rink 4: C Whitehead, N Lewis, M Charlett, H Watts 27; A Chipper, N Davies, D Hall, J Stradling 20.

Rink 5: S Timms, R Redford, R Buckett, A Prew 16; S Jones, M Clisby, A Knapper, A Price 12.

Rink 6: K Holloway, B Lambourne, S Richens, G Lucas 19; C Brooks, S Ford, B Cannings, A Collins 14.