James Lovelock claimed an early season scalp as British Rail became the early Division 1 leaders in the Oxford & District League, beating Forum A 6-4 and Vikings A 8-2. Lovelock excelled against Forum, recording a maximum that included a five-set victory over the renowned Karl Bushell.

Rutherford also made a good start, beating Bicester A 7-3 and holding Forum A to a draw.

Neil Hurford led the way against Bicester, but Matthew Faulkner was the star against Forum with a maximum that included a straight sets victory over Bushell.

Defending champions Holton A got their campaign going with a 9-1 win over Bicester B.

In Division 2, Nick Langley’s full house gave Forum D a 7-3 victory over their E team. Witney beat Bicester D 7-3 in Division 3, thanks to maximum from Andy Cuddon and Glen Bishop.

Bicester G are early fav-ourites for the new six-strong Two-a-side League (2AS) after beating Holton D 4-1, Shunko Cook starring with a maximum.

RESULTS

Div 1: Bicester A 3, RAL 7 (N Hurford 3); Forum A 4, British Rail 6 (J Lovelock 3); Vikings A 1, Forum B 9 (C Smith 3, F Harris 3); Holton A 9 (D Palmer 3, M Scott 3), Bicester B 1; British Rail 8 (G Donovan 3, N Taylor 3), Vikings A 2; RAL 5 (M Faulkner 3), Forum A 5.

Div 2: Vikings B 8 (M Wagner 3, J Talbot 3), Forum C 2; Vikings C 6 (E Deeley 3), Bicester C 4; Forum D 7 (N Langley 3), Forum E 3; Forum C 8 (L Lonie 3, G Plowman 3), Gladiators A 2;Bicester C 2, Vikings B 8 (J Lawton Smith 3); Begbroke 6, Vikings C 4 (P Borrowdale 3).

Div 3: Vikings D 4 (H Morgan 3), Bicester E 6; Forum G 7 (K Warrender 3), Forum H 3; Bicester D 3, Witney 7 (A Cuddon 3, G Bishop 3); Vikings E 7 (L Fisher 3), Forum F 3.

Div 4: Bicester F 2, St James 8 (B Ford 3); Holton C 7 (R Mott 3), Bicester F 3; Forum I 5, Forum J 5;St James 8 (P Guest 3), Holton B 2.

Two-a-side: Forum L 2, Forum M 3 (C Gerkin); Bicester G 4 (S Cook), Holton D 1.