Greene King Oxford & District League

Veteran Pete Hitchman showed that age is no barrier as he clanged off 17 dolls for Cross Keys in their 2-1 win at Quarry Gate in Section 3, writes ANDY BEAL.

The 73-year-old missed with his 13th stick and even whipped off all three dolls in the three-stick shoot-out in the middle leg.

Quarry Gate took an early lead, winning the first leg 21-19. The second leg was tied 21-21, with Cross Keys taking it after a shoot-out.

Leg three went to Keys 21-15. Pete Kennett top scored for The Quarry Gate with 11 dolls.

With a handicap system brought in, New Club, from Section 1, took full advantage of their three dolls start by beating Premier side Three Pigeons 3-0.

Craig Beal and Eddie Edwards hit a six for The Pigeons, but it was in vain as they lost 30-28, 28-28, 27-24. Adrian Shepherd was top dog for New Club with 14 dolls (4-4-6).

There was no trouble for The George as they beat Chequers 3-0 despite giving away five dolls.

Steve Walton led the way with 15 dolls (4-6-5) as they won all three legs 31-25, 29-26, 28-21. Jason Weller chipped in with 13 dolls (6-4-3).

Six Bells also had to give a five doll start at home to Gladiators, but they also ran out 3-0 winners – 27-19, 34-24, 29-20. Steve Ward was top dog with 13 dolls (2-6-5).

Cricketers B won 3-0 win at home to Rowing Machine, again giving a five-doll start.

Phil Adams top-scored with 16 dolls (6-5-5) and was well supported by Kevin Baker with 15 (6-4-5) in the leg scores of 30-29, 23-20, 29-22.

Red Lion’s Billy Trinder bagged himself a baker’s dozen (3-4-6) in their 3-0 win at Six Bells, Headington Quarry in Section 2.

They won all three legs 19-16, 26-19, 27-24.

In Section 4, nothing could separate Chequers C and King & Queen as the first two legs were ties 20-20 and 12-12.

Chequers won both legs on three sticks, then made sure of maximum points by taking the final leg 18-15.

Kidlington Sports captain Barry Mudd led the way with 14 dolls (4-6-4) in Section 6 as they took maximum points at home to Turners Arms.

They won the opening leg 17-14 and took the second on three sticks after tying 18-18. The Sportsmen easily won the final leg 21-11.

Despite scoring more dolls than their opponents, Priory B still lost 2-1 to Northway Club in Section 7.

Priory won the opening leg 19-14, but lost the next leg on three sticks after drawing 19-19.

They then set 13 in the final leg, but it was not enough as Northway clinched it by the odd doll.

Martyn Boulton whipped off a six in his 13 dolls (3-4-6) for Folly Bridge as they defeated Chandos Arms 2-1 in Section 8.

They won the opening leg 11-9, but Chandos responded well levelling the match in the second leg 19-14.

Folly Bridge then set 19 in the final leg, which proved too strong for Chandos who replied with 16.

In Section 9, Golden Ball’s Mark Faulkner experienced mixed emotions as he failed to hit the doll on his first throw, only managed one on his next, but then clanged off a maximum six on his final effort.

This helped them defeat Blackbird 2-1 in a very close contest, the leg scores being 11-11, 13-14, 16-15.

In Section 11, Black Swan’s John Lucin bagged himself a six in his dozen dolls, but they still lost out to North Oxford Con Club 3-0.

The Democrats’ Stuart Clark also hit a six, but ended up on the losing side as Prince of Wales beat them 2-1.