HEADINGTON’S Colin Whitehead and Shiplake’s Jim Bland are the first two Oxfordshire bowlers to book their places at the National Championships.

The duo qualified for the event at Leamington Spa later this year after winning the men’s county two-wood singles competition.

Whitehead beat clubmate Bernie May 15-14 in a tense final-end decider.

Bland ensured the event was not completely dominated by Headington bowlers after seeing off Mark Charlett 14-9.

The final will be held at West Witney BC on Sunday, July 22.

  • REIGNING champions Headington put down an early marker in this season’s Oxford & District League, sponsored by Bridle Insurance.

The opening round of matches saw the Division 1 title favourites secure a smooth victory over Banbury Central.

Fielding a stronger side than last year, Headington won 5-1 with rink totals of 78-54.

Last year’s runners-up Watlington beat newly-promoted Kidlington 4-2, with Chris Cox’s four and Paul McGrath’s men winning 15-14 and 18-16 respectively to earn Kidlington some points.

In Division 2, Carterton got off to a solid start in their bid for an instant return to the top flight, beating Shiplake 5-1.

RESULTS

Division 1

Headington 78 (5pts), Banbury Central 54 (1) (Headington skips first): N Rae-Welsh 26, L Campion 8; H Watts 15, N Galletly 10; M Charlett 19, W Campion 16; I Snowdon 18, K McNeil 20.

Kidlington 50 (2pt), Watlington 75 (4) (Kidlington skips first): M Peterson 6, S Cooper 26; C Cox 15, S Gilkes 14; J Hardie 11, A Kemish 19; P McGrath 18, S Watts 16.

City & County 62 (1pt), West Witney 85 (5) (City skips first): A Ley 22, K Alder 17; C Pollard 20, P Skidmore 21; O Shariff 8, D Leighfield 25; C Lewis 12, A McIntyre 22.

Division 2

Carterton 78 (5pts), Shiplake 60 (1) (Carterton skips first): P Sharman 8, J Bland 21; G Walker 17, T Reid 13; R Clanfield 29, D Webb 14; T Jupp 24, G Kennedy 12.

Hanborough 59 (2pts), Witney Town 72 (4) (Hanborough skips first): M Oliver 12, B Bloomfield 11; G Thompson 19, P Demczak 16; K Williams 12, A Scholan 21; G Haynes 16, T Ludlow 24.

Charlbury 53 (1pt), South Oxford A 58 (5) (Charlbury skips first): D Cooper 11, K Mobley 16; M Smith 15, J Hall 20; E Pitts 15, D Tidball 6; M Fraser 12, D Claridge 16.

Division 4

Woodstock 48 (0pts), Chadlington 88 (6) (Woodstock rinks first): P Shipton 18, C Smart 22; B Clarke 13, R Arthur 18; D Francis 7, P Madeley 23; T Stevens 10, P Radbone 25.

West Oxford 73 (5pts), Bicester 54 (1) (West Oxford rinks first): A Blackburn 16, M Graves 12; E Fry 19, K Taylor 17; J Parker 26, A King 11; C Sherwood 12, R Herbert 14.

  • OXFORDSHIRE’S women suffered back-to-back defeats.

After losing 150-105 at home to Leicestershire in the Middle England League, they then went down 124-110 when entertaining Worcestershire.

Oxfordshire 105 (2pts), Leicestershire 150 (15) (Oxon first): W Cross 22, S Sharpe 23; S Blackmore 7, C Locking 25; C Campion 27, L Green 17; P Ostler 15, P Walker 29; C Penson 12, A Johnson 31; J Berry 22, D Hurt 25.

Oxfordshire 110, Worcestershire 124 (Oxon first): S Blackmore 11, J Drewer 20; P Ostler 23, V Hall 13; C Penson 15, J Parfitt 23; J Berry 20, G Allen 26; W Cross 19, D Jackson 16; C Gaskins 22, A Cartwright 16.