EIGHT competitors battled their way to the Oxford & District singles play-offs as the league took a back seat for a week.

Kevin Stuart, from The George A, went through with a six in the deciding leg against Gladiators A’s Kevin Giles.

The 2019 runner-up earlier beat The Chequers B’s Andy Webb 2-0.

Keith Powell had a more difficult route to the play-offs, winning his first-round tie against Craig Hambridge on the three-stick shoot-out.

He then fought back from 1-0 down to beat North Leigh FC’s Ashley Keenan, thanks to a 3-2 triumph in the final leg.

There was a shock at The Masons Arms as 2018 champion Mark Rollins went down 2-1 to North Leigh teammate Spencer Buckingham.

The latter then faced six-time runner-up Kevin Baker, who saw off Steve Ducker of the Red Lion Kidlington.

Buckingham won the opening leg with a set of four, but Baker took the next two to reach the play-offs.

Red Lion B Kidlington’s Pete Rampton is the only past winner left in the competition after navigating his two ties.

The 2016 champion saw off North Leigh duo Adolfo Kerpache and Ray Grant 2-1 and 2-0 respectively.

Rob Bradford continued his scintillating form by battling through some tough matches.

He lost the opening leg of his first round tie to The Blackbird B’s Willy Waite, but fought back to take the next two.

The Black Prince player then beat Kevin McMahon 2-0, before his clash with Lee Thompson went to a one-stick shoot-out – Bradford whipping off the doll to win.

Chris Jenkins, of Gladiators A, overcame Scott Thompson in a tight affair and saw off Ian McAteer 2-0 in the next round.

Teammate Andy Beal beat Roger Goodall and Neil Pratley 2-0, while The Chequers B’s Chris Webb claimed wins by the same scoreline over Mark Revill and Ian Grant.

Meanwhile, Walter Harwood and Paul Edwards reached the final of the Ted Houghton singles, for players in Section Three and below.

Harwood was up against Phil Hounslow in his semi-final, with the Bletchington Sports Club man progressing after winning both legs 3-1, 2-1.

Edwards got the better of Steve Reeves in the other last-four clash, fighting back from a leg down to take the decider 2-1.

SIXERS: K Stuart (George A), N Pratley, S Buckingham (North Leigh FC), R Bradford (Black Prince).