Mark Trafford celebrated his England call-up by winning the decider in Kennington Club’s 3-2 first leg victory at Comrades Club in Group A of the Team Knockout Cup, writes PETE EWINS.

Trafford racked up 14,090 to add to earlier wins by Kevin Godfrey (8,630), Steven Sheard (10,850) as Kennington established a 35,510-20,160 aggregate lead to take into the second leg.

Chris Alexander (7,940) and Adam Thorn (10,810) shone for Comrades.

West Oxford Democrats Club pulled off an impressive 4-1 first leg win at home to Vikings Club.

Terry Green (4,440), Billy Hill (11,390), Eddie Tebby (5,130) and John Patey were on target for the Democrats.

Ian Moss (10,740) replied for Vikings.

In Group B, Marlborough Club won 4-1 at Gladiators Club B.

Chris Iagoe (6,720), Pete Rose, Chris Bateman (6,700) and Arthur McIntyre (6,680) were on target for Marlborough, with Grant Johnson (3,620) preventing a whitewash.

Dolphin won their first leg 3-2 at home to Headington Conservative Club.

Mellissa Standbridge (6,430) Martin Atkins (8,810) and Kirsty Jarvis (4,750) starred for Dolphin.

OTHER RESULTS Group A 1st leg: Masons A 2, Didcot Con Club 3.

Group B: Berinsfield Club 2, Gladitors Club 3.

Tonight’s Fixtures

Democrats v Vikings, Masons A v Kennington, Comrades v Masons B, Dolphin v Marlborough, Gladiators A v Berinsfield, Vikings B v Gladiators B.

  • ENTRIES are being accepted for the 20th Oxfordshire Open at Cowley Conservative Club on Saturday, February 18.

Contact is Oxfordshire secretary Pete Ewins, and the closing date is January 31.