Vikings A put more pressure on Johnsons Buildbase Oxford League Premier Section leaders Kennington Club with a brilliant 5-0 victory at Section 1 leaders Masons B, writes PETE EWINS.

Mike Jones inflicted Dave Butt’s first defeat of the season with a 6,600-5,930 victory in the opening game.

Bob Allsworth, Alan Lacey and Alan Oliver made it 4-0, before Ian Moss made a superb break of 12,890 in his total of 16,800 to seal a superb win.

Vikings are now only two points behind leaders Kennington, who scraped a 3-2 win at Gladiators A.

Dave Jarman beat Pauline Withey to put Gladiators in front, only for Steven Sheard (12,700) and Mark Trafford (11,030) to hit back for Kennington and make it 2-1 to the table-toppers.

Keith Gardner squared the match after scoring 10,990, including a break of 10,820.

But Ian Gordon beat Frank Cox 7,490-1,020 to give Kennington a narrow victory.

Democrats moved into second place in Section 1 after beating Comrades 3-2. Richard Garrett (4,410), Terry Green (4,940) and John Patey (9,290, break 8,990) won for Democrats, with Simon Ellam (8,620) and Chris Alexander (6,010) victorious for Comrades.

In Section 2, Vikings B closed the gap on leaders Marlborough Club by winning 5-0 for the second week running.

Tony Harvey (2), Nicki Stratford, Sean Stratford, Tony Harvey and Dave Bartlett were triumphant.

Dolphin won only their second match of the season with a 3-2 home victory over Headington Conservative Club.

Martin Atkins (10,050) and Mel Standbridge (8,200) shone for Dolphin, while Sid Ponting starred for Headington, scoring 5,960, including a break of 4,020.

RESULTS

Masons B 0, Vikings A 5; Vikings A 3, Democrats 2; Didcot Con Club 3, Masons A 2; Gladiators A 2, Kennington 3; Demo-crats 3, Comrades 2; Vikings B 5, Shelley 0; Dolphin 3, Headington Con Club 2; Marl-borough 21/2, Glads B 21/2.

TONIGHT'S MATCHES

Vikings v Democrats, Masons A v Masons B, Kennington v Didcot Con Club, Com-rades v Gladiators A, Gladiators B v Vikings B, Shelley v Dolphin, Headington Con Club v Marlborough.