DEMOCRATS Club closed in on Oxford & District League Divison 1 leaders Masons with a 5-1 win over Headington Con Club.

Richard Garrett (8,790)

top-scored for the hosts with John Patey and Billy Hill each winning twice, while Sid Ponting got Headington on the board.

Masons drew 3-3 at Division 2 leaders Vikings B, thanks to Maxi McDonnell, Mick Murphy and Alan Lowe.

Vinnie Brown, Melvyn Johnson and Sean Stratford (7,700, break 4,620) were on target for Vikings.

Staff Club lost 5-1 at Oracle, thanks to Ian Gordon (12,450, break 6,690, and 5,130) and Mark Trafford (11,660, break 10,400, 12,010 break & 10,050).

Pauline Withey (8,700) also triumphed for Oracle, but was beaten by Chris Bateman (7,690).

Donnington inflicted Vikings A’s first defeat of the Premier Division season, Dennis Atkins’s double, Ian Moquet and Dave Tooke sealing a 4-2 win.

In Division 2, Gladiators drew 3-3 at home to Berinsfield.