Marlborough are Section 2 champions – despite losing 3-2 at home to nearest rivals Vikings, writes PETE EWINS.

Sean Stratford (4,170) put Vikings in front, but Ian Major (4,420) levelled.

Pete Soanes (3,540) restored Vikings’s lead, only for Chris Iagoe (3,530) to level once more.

Dave Bartlett (4,270) then took the last game for Vikings, but it proved in vain as they had to settle for the runners-up spot.

Premier Division leaders Vikings moved to within a victory of the title after a 4-1 win at home to Didcot Conservative Club.

Alan Oliver (11,810) and Bob Allsworth (7,580) were in fine form.

Kennington won 3-2 at Masons A, with Steven Sheard (10,560, break 9350) and Ian Gordon (9,590) starring.

Section 1 leaders Masons B went down 3-2 at Comrades Club, with two outstanding individual performances.

Chris Webb played out the table with a brilliant 22,060 for Masons, while Comrades’s Adam Thorn then recorded his best score of 14,130.

Democrats won 4-1 at home to Gladiators A.

Bob Parsons (5,710), Billy Hill (7,340) John Patey (8,710) and Terry Green (7,540) were in good form.

Dolphin lost 4-1 to Section 3 champions Gladiators B.

Reg Johnson, Phil Clark, Jenny Webb and Grant Johnson won the first four games, Martin Atkins (4,410) avoiding a whitewash.

Headington Conservative Club are runners-up after winning 4-1 against Shelley.

Results: Masons A 2, Kennington 3; Vikings 4, Didcot Con Club 1; Democrats 4, Gladiators A 1; Comrades 3, Masons B 2; Headington Con Club 4, Shelley 1; Gladiators B 4, Dolphin 1; Marlborough 2, Vikings B 3.