LEAD-OFF man Tony Barrett fell just short of a magical maximum with 17 dolls to inspire Queens Head to a 3-0 win over Black Swan in Section 2 of the Greene King Oxford & District League, writes ANDY BEAL.

He missed with his first stick - but then clanged off the next 17 as Queens Head won all three legs 26-12, 23-11, 22-15.

Royal Sun moved up to joint top with Seacourt Bridge by beating them 2-1.

After the first two legs were shared 19-14, 18-19, Royal Sun took a tense decider 25-24. Mark Poulter (5-2-5) top-scored with 12 dolls.

It was unlucky 13 for Prince Of Wales' Steve Tooke (4-4-5) as he whipped of a baker's dozen - but still lost to Red Lion Garsington 3-0 in Section 3.

Lion edged the first leg 16-15, but hit back to take the next two 21-12, 21-19. Bryan Munt (3-5-4) clanged 12 dolls for The Lion.

It was no happy returns for birthday boy Richard Waters as he failed to trouble the doll in a 3-0 home defeat by Cowley Workers.

Ampleforth's Andy Lewis is celebrating after ending a 34-year wait for his first six.

Lewis achieved the feat in a 2-1 defeat by leaders Red Lion Islip in Section 4.

The table-toppers secured took the first two legs 20-18, 24-9, before losing the last 18-17.

Paul Sawyer (4-5-5) top-scored with 14 dolls.

In Section 5, Vikings A beat Lord Kitchener 3-0 - but the match was much closer than the final scoreline suggests.

Vikings triumphed 16-15, 15-14, 19-17, with Nick Carton (5-4-4) throwing well for his 13 dolls.

John Brown and Doug Sealy both clanged off a six for Cowley Con Club in their 2-1 defeat of Golden Ball.

The leg scores were 25-22, 16-19, 22-16.

In Section 6, Nut Tree were pipped 2-1 by Jolly Postboys with the match being decided by a three-stick shoot-out.

Nut Tree set the first leg with 16 and after a slow start from the Postboys they left anchor man Craig Beal five to win.

He missed with his first stick, but then whipped off the next five to take the leg 17-16.

Nut Tree levelled the match in the next leg 18-15.

In the decider, Post Boys set 16 and the roles were almost reversed as the Nut Tree's anchor man Robert Price was left needing six to win.

He also missed his first stick, but clanged of the next five to take it to a three-stick shoot-out, which Postboys won.

Malcolm Hill (3-4-6) hit 13 dolls - but ended up on the losing side as Red Lion Garsington went down 2-1 at home to White House.

The game was over in the first two legs as White House took them 24-18, 23-22, before the Lion won the last 24-20.

Kings Arms shocked leaders Donnington Club by beating them on their own patch 2-1.

The leg scores were 15-13, 19-22, 19-18.

Donnington's Phil Simpson (3-5-5) was top dog with 13 dolls.

Ashton Club's Richard Austin endured the highs and lows of Aunt Sally in a 2-1 win over Highfield Club in Section 7.

He started of with a six, but then only hit the doll once more in his next two throws.

Star came from behind to win 2-1 at the Blackbird 2 in a Section 8 top-of-the-table battle.

The leg scores were 15-18, 17-14, 18-17. Dave Simms and Garry Rees hit ten dolls for Blackbird.