PAULINE Withey was the toast of Oxfordshire after lifting the All England ladies singles title at Reading.

Withey, who won the crown in 2003 and 2004, defeated Marilyn Izzard (Bucks) 2-0 and Jackie Peckham (Kent) by the same scoreline.

She continued her good form with aggregate victories over Janet Burns (Berkshire), Bella Stoner (Sussex) and Chris Newson (Hampshire).

Although Withey lost out on aggregate to Alison Norman (Surrey) in her last game, she topped the group with a total score of 73,480, scoring ten points from eight wins.

  • KENNINGTON ended Vik-ings’ unbeaten run in the Buildbase Oxford, winning 3-2.

Alan Lacey put Vikings in front, only for Kennington to take a 2-1 lead through Mark Trafford (12,750, break 9,400) and Pauline Withey (9,150).

Ian Moss (5,140) beat Kevin Godfrey to level the scores.

Steven Sheard then beat Alan Oliver 13,610-13,590 in a superb last game to seal victory for Kennington.

  • Results: Kennington 3, Vikings 2; Mason A 2, Gladiators A 3; Demos 1, Masons B 4; Didcot Con Club 3, Comrades 2; Marlborough 4, Dolphin 1; Headington Con Club 2, Vikings B 3; Gladiators B 2, Shelley Arms 3.
  • OXFORD A take a 4-1 lead into the second leg of their Inter Area Cup semi-final against Wycombe B at the Gladiators Club tomorrow.
  • THE All-England team area championship final and presentation between Kennington and Didcot Con Club will take place at the Red Lion, Cassington, on Saturday.