Chequers A finally broke their duck after 12 attempts with a first win of the season, writes ANDY BEAL.

They had to do it the hard way, however, coming from behind to beat Red Lion A Yarnton 2-1 in their Premier/Section 1 clash.

It was not looking good for the basement side when they lost the opening leg 21-15.

But they bounced back to take the second 23-20 and after setting 25 in the decider, could finally celebrate when Red Lion fell two short with 23, despite a six from Mark Poulter.

The clash between Swan A & Swan B turned out to be a drab affair with the A team running out 3-0 winners.

Lee Thompson (6-5-3) starred with 14 dolls as the A side won all three legs 25-24, 28-21, 26-23.

Gladiators A dropped a precious point at home to George A.

The title hopefuls slipped two points behind Swan A after some great throwing from Billy Trinder and Kevin Stuart.

The George duo each whipped off five dolls to give their side a shock 24-23 success in the opening leg.

However, Gladiators ensured there were no other surprises when they hit back to win the next two legs 30-20, 28-24.

New Club A have opened up a seven-point gap at the top of Section 1 when they surprisingly came away from Black Prince with a 2-1 win.

Prince set an imposing score of 29 in the first leg which New Club brushed aside and hit 31.

They then won the next leg despite setting only 24, but missed out on a full house when Black Prince, for whom Phil Austin (6-4-4) top-scored with 14 dolls, took the last 26-24.

Garsington Sports Club’s title ambitions were badly damaged when they came away from Woodman empty-handed, going down 23-18, 22-21, 21-19.

Section 2 leaders Donnington Club C beat one of their close rivals Six Bells D Kidlington 2-1.

Bullnose Morris A got back into the title race when they had a maximum win against basement boys Red Lion A Kidlington, 21-18, 19-16, 21-14.

In Section 3, Queens Head had a disastrous start away at Rose Hill when they lost 20-9 in the opener, but they rallied in the next two legs 19-16, 21-14 to secure a 2-1 win.

Bottom of the table Six Bells B Kidlington won their third game of the season, beating hosts New Club B 2-1.

Vikings Sports B shocked title challengers Cowley Workers in Section 4, whitewashing them 3-0.

Eamon Hanlon (6-4-2) bagged a six in his 12-doll haul for Workers.

Languishing at the bottom of Section 5, Tandem shocked leaders Cricketers Arms Cowley 2-1.

The signs were there after the first leg which Cricketers just managed to win on three sticks after it was tied 12-12.

Tandem levelled 14-11 in the next leg and then took the final leg on three sticks after they both hit 17.

Neale Clarkson (3-3-5) top-scored for Tandem with 11.

Cricketers Littleworth failed to take advantage of the leaders slip, however, when they crashed to a 2-1 defeat at Littlemore British Legion B.

RESULTS

OXFORD & DISTRICT LEAGUE

Premier/Section 1: Chequers A 2, Red Lion A 1; Gladiators A 2, George A 1; Black Prince 1, New Club A 2; Swan B 0, Swan A 3; Woodman 3, Garsington Sports 0.

Section 2: Tiddington Cricket Club 0, Gladiators C 3; Red Lion A Marston 0, Ampleforth Arms A 3; Six Bells D 1, Donnington Club C 2; Donnington Club A 1, Six Bells E 2; Bullnose Morris A 3, Red Lion A Kidlington 0.

Section 3: George B 0, Gladiators B 3; Rose Hill Club 1, Queens Head 2; Six Bells A 3, Masons Arms A 0; New Club B 1, Six Bells B 2; Seacourt Bridge 0, Littlemore BL A 3.

Section 4: Blackbird 2, Northway Club C 1; Red Lion B 1, Catherine Wheel B 2; Vikings Sports B 3, Cowley Workers Club 0; Green Road Club A 3, Vikings Sports A 0; Swan C 3, Bullnose Morris B 0.

Section 5: Ampleforth Arms B 1, Red Lion B 2; Tandem 2, Cricketers Arms Cowley 1; Vikings Sports D 3, Donnington Club B 0; Masons Arms B 1, Vikings Sports C 2; Littlemore BL 2, Cricketers Littleworth 1.

Section 6: Catherine Wheel A 3, Golden Ball 0; Kidlington FC A 1, Chequers B 2; Prince of Wales 2, Green Road Club B 1; Bletchingdon Sports 0, Duke of Monmouth 3; Red Lion B 2, White Horse 1; Section 7: Marston BL 2, Kidlington FC B 1; Northway Club B 0, Headington Con Club 3; Democrats Club 3, Red Lion 0; White Hart Wolvercote 1, Yarnton BL 2.

Top doll scorers: 14 – M Poulter (Red Lion A Yarnton), P Austin (Black Prince), L Thompson (Swan A). 13 – A Beal (Gladiators A), S McAteer & I McAteer (Black Prince), A Shepherd (New Club A), D Walsh (Swan A).

Sixers: M Poulter (Red Lion A Yarnton), S McAteer & P Austin (Black Prince), L Thompson, E Edwards (Swan A).

Blobbers: D Bourton (Blackbird), J Mazey (Red Lion B Marston), T Dagliesh (Golden Ball), C Bustin (Kidlington FC B), T Butterfield (Northway Club B).

BICESTER & DISTRICT LEAGUE

(Sponsored by Lodge Garage Mazda, Kingswood)

Premier/Div 1: Black Bull A 3, Pheasant Inn 0; White Horse 3, Black Bull A 0; Crown A 3, Highfield SC 0.

Div 2: Muddy Duck 3, Red Cow 0; The Lion 2, Prince of Wales 1; Bell Bicester 1, White Horse 2; Brill S&SC B 1, Bull Inn A 2.

Div 3: Shakespeare 3, Bull & Butcher B 0; Ashton Club 2, Brill S&SC A 1; Barley Mow 1, Chandos Arms 2; Butchers Arms 2, Chearsley Cricketers 1.

Div 4: Bull Inn B 0, White Hart 3; Fox Souldern 2, Plough A 1; Hundred Acres 0, Crown Twyford 3; Red Lion Finmere 2, Harrison 1.

Div 5: Eight Bells 0, Crown B 3; Black Bull Divas 1, Safari Garden 2; Plough Casuals 2, Blacks Head 1; Bull & Butcher A 3, Fountain 0.

Sixers: R Owens (Black Bull B), T Hawkins (Barley Mow).