SWAN A held their nerve to claim the Premier Division title in a race which went all the way to the penultimate stick of the season, writes ANDY BEAL.

They held a one-point lead heading into the final week, but after winning the opening leg at Woodman 25-19, they lost the next 26-22.

That allowed nearest challengers Black Prince to draw level as they won the first two legs at home to Six Bells E Kidlington 24-22, 24-17.

A play-off was looming, but after Swan took their decider 28-13, Black Prince fell short, setting 23, which allowed Six Bells to surpass their target as anchor man Fred Sawyer whipped off five dolls.

Luke Purcell (5-5-4) finished as the league’s top doll-scorer when he added 14 to his tally.

It could not stop George A losing 2-1 at Garsington Sports A, who finished third.

Gladiators A ended up top doll-

scorers, but finished fourth after their 2-1 win at Chequers C.

Jason Weller (5-3-6) was in top form for Glads.

The Premier Section top scorer battle was between Three Pigeon teammates, with Neil Lyon pipping Paul Townsend.

But their side lost 2-1 to Swan B, for whom Jason Coates (4-5-4) threw a baker’s dozen in a 24-22, 29-22, 24-28 success.

Chris Webb clanged off 13 dolls

(4-6-3) to claim the Section 2 top doll scorer and in turn guided Gladiators B to a 2-1 win over Bullnose Morris A in the leg scores of 21-17, 23-20, 15-17.

Red Lion A Yarnton secured second spot when they came away from Six Bells D Kidlington with a 2-1 win.

Henry Johnson hit his first six of the season for Lion, while Pete Rampton (3-5-5) starred for Bells, who went down 19-25, 21-19, 17-21.

Garsington Sports B anchor man Roger Goodall whipped off all six dolls to pinch the deciding leg 19-18 in a 2-1 win over Black Horse B.

After the first two legs were shared, Goodall’s haul proved the difference as Garsington picked up the

victory.

Ampleforth Arms A won section 3 thanks to a 17-14, 16-12, 17-15 whitewash of Masons Arms A.

Swan C won Section 5 by one point, taking the crucial final leg against Cricketers Arms Cowley on three sticks to seal a 3-0 success.

Section 6’s title race also went to the wire, with leaders Vikings Sports D crashing to a 2-1 home defeat to Catherine Wheel B.

Seacourt Bridge needed to take maximum points to leapfrog their rivals – and they duly delivered by beating visitors Prince of Wales 15-9, 21-20, 20-15.

  • ALL teams or players still holding cups are requested to return them as soon as possible.

Finals night is on Friday, October 12 at Cowley Workers Club.

RESULTS

GREENE KING OXFORD &

DISTRICT LEAGUE

Premier/Section 1: Black Prince 2, Six Bells E 1; Chequers C 1, Gladiators A 2; Garsington Sports A 2, The George A 1; The Woodman 1, The Swan A 2; The Swan B 2, Three Pigeons 1.

Section 2: Six Bells D 1, Red Lion A 2; Gladiators B 2, Bullnose Morris A 1; Black Horse B 1, Garsington Sports B 2; Queens Head B 2, Donnington Club A 1; Florence Park Club A 1, Tiddington Cricket Club 2.

Section 3: Six Bells B 1, Vikings Sports A 2; Chequers A 1, Littlemore BL A 2; Ampleforth Arms A 3, Masons Arms A 0; Red Lion A 1, Rose Hill Club 2; Donnington Club C 3, Queens Head A 0.

Section 4: Vikings Sports B 1, Six Bells A 2; Bullnose Morris B 2, Cricketers Arms 1; The George B 2, Ampleforth Arms B 1; Green Road Club 1, New Club 2.

Section 5: Red Lion B 3, Vikings Sports C 0; The Blackbird 3, Democrats Club A 0; Masons Arms B 2, Northway Club C 1; White Hart A 3, Florence Park Club B 0; The Swan C 3, Cricketers Arms 0.

Section 6: Littlemore BL B 1, Cowley Workers Club 2; Seacourt Bridge 3, Prince of Wales 0; Marston BL B 1, Kidlington FC 2; Vikings D 1, Catherine Wheel B 2.

Section 7: Golden Ball A 1, The Tandem 2; Gladiators D 1, Chequers B 2; Bletchingdon Sports 0, Red Lion 3.

Section 8: Democrats Club ‘B’ 0, Gladiators C 3; White Hart 2, Original Swan 1.

Top doll scorers: 14 – J Weller (Gladiators A), Lu Purcell (George A). 13 – J Coates (Swan B), J Morrison (George A), C Webb (Gladiators B), P Austin (Black Prince).

Sixers: J Weller (Gladiators A), C Proudfoot, A Shepherd (Garsington Sports A), R Goodall (Garsington Sports A), C Webb (Gladiators B), P Austin (Black Prince).

Blobbers: M Lyons (Masons Arms B), B Timbs (Democrats Club A), E Mazey (Democrats Club B).

BICESTER & DISTRICT LEAGUE

(Sponsored by Lodge Garage, Kingswood)

Premier/Div 1: Muddy Duck 1, Pheasant Inn 2; Highfield SC 1, Black Bull A 2; White Lion 3, Brill S&SC B 0; Black Bull B 0, Crown 3.

Div 2: Brill S&SC A 2, Ashton Club 1; Bull Inn A 0, Prince of Wales 3; The Lion 0, Bell Bicester 3; Ex Services 1, Nut Tree 2.

Div 3: Bull & Butcher B 1, White Horse B 2; Red Lion Islip 3, Shakespeare 0; Chearsley Cricketers 0, Barley Mow 3.

Div 4: The Harrison 1, Butchers Arms 2; Chandos Arms 3, Fountain A 0; Red Lion Finmere 0, White Hart 3.

Div 5: Royal Oak 1, Plough MG A 2; Fox Souldern 2, Bull Inn B 1.

Div 6: Safari Garden 1, Eight Bells 2; Plough MG Casuals 0, Bull & Butcher A 3.

Sixer: R Taylor.