OXFORDSHIRE’S Steven Sheard is celebrating after pulling off a memorable double.

He became the new All England singles champion after beating Paul Sainsbury in the final and also helped Oxford A launch a stunning comeback to reach the Inter Area Cup final.

Sheard’s individual title was clinched in the first leg when he played out the table with a superb break of 16,100.

When his opponent from Berkshire was only able to respond with 12,000 in the next leg, Sheard took the crown.

His best match was a high-quality semi-final, narrowly defeating Mark Brewster 19,800-19,100.

There was also tension in the Inter Area Cup, where Oxford A went into the second leg of their semi-final trailing Reading B 4-1.

Alan Oliver reduced the arrears, but the visitors had one foot in the final when Graham Alder beat Dave Tooke.

The comeback was started by Mark Trafford, who made two breaks in his score of 11,640, before Sheard made it 5-4.

Captain Kevin Godfrey had to win by 210 in the deciding leg and duly obliged.

His 6,000 winning break tied the contest 5-5, but Oxford won 39,730-35,470 on aggregate.

TONIGHT’S MATCHES

League Cup (sponsored by Gracie J’s Hairdressers): Vikings v Kennington, Democrats v Gladiators Club B, Masons A v Masons B. Byes: Gladiators A, Didcot Conservative Club, Berinsfield, Headington Conser-vative Club, Marlborough Club.

RESULTS

Pairs preliminary round: J Patey & E Tebby bt P McFarland & J Boal.

1st Round: G Mace & T Broadway bt A Oliver & I Moss 3-1, S Ponting & K Hollis bt R Pincombe & K Gardner, M Trafford & I Gordon bt C Bowler & A Ingram 3-0, A Lowe & D Rose bt M Wood & M Murphy 3-0.