WATLINGTON were unable to take full advantage of leaders Headington’s free week as the Bridle Insurance Oxford & District League title race comes to a climax.

Second-placed Watlington could win only 4-2 at City & County, despite Chris Gilkes’s 23-shot victory.

Starring for the hosts were Colin Pollard’s rink, who remarkably came back from 23-9 down after 16 ends to win 24-23.

Should Watlington drop points to Banbury Central this week, then a win at home to City & County would clinch the title for Headington.

Meanwhile, Watlington’s Bob Gilkes and his wife Nina are recovering at home, following the road accident, which has sidelined him from league action.

Struggling Banbury Central gave themselves a lifeline with a convincing 5-1 win at home to South Oxford A.

Division 2 leaders Kidlington took another step towards promotion with a 5-1 success at Chipping Norton.

In Division 3, Ken Williams’s rink won by 12 shots to clinch a 3½-2½ success for Hanborough over Banbury Central B.

Woodstock’s 6-0 demolition of West Oxford was the outstanding match in Division 4.

However, wins on all four rinks, including a 20-margin for Dave Francis’s rink – and scoring a century in the process – was still not enough to lift them off the bottom of the table.

BRIDLE INSURANCE OXFORD LEAGUE
Division 1
Banbury Central A 87 (5), South Oxford A 65 (1) (Banbury skips first): M Andrew 25, D Claridge 17; K McNeil 15, J Hall 14; W Campion 30, D Tidball 12; N Galletly 17, K Mobley 22.
Carterton 76 (0) West Witney 89 (6) (Carterton skips first): R Clanfield 16, P Skidmore 18; G Walker 24, D Leighfield 26; P Sharman 21, A McIntyre 22; B Sparkes 15, K Alder 23.
City & County A 84 (2), Watlington 96 (4) (City skips first): P Comley 17, G Hooker 25; C Pollard 24, S Cooper 23; C Earl 8, C Gilkes 31; A Ley 35, A Twinn 17.
Division 2
Adderbury 77 (5), Shiplake 62½ (1) (Adderbury skips first): P Gladden 19, B Evans 13; T Ely 17, F Bonham 16½; T Clarke 15, J Bland 24; M Jelfs 26, L Mitton 9. 
Chipping Norton 62¾ (1), Kidlington 90 (5) (Chipping Norton skips first): J Martin 9¾, M Peterson 26; K Field 9, J Woodward 22; N Siford 30, C Cox 17; T Sealey 14, P McGrath 25. 
Division 3
Bicester 61 (½), Blackbird Leys 76 (5½) (Bicester skips first): A King 12, J Baldwin 18; R Herbert 19, P Sage 21; K Taylor 17, R Brain 17; M Workman 13, A Fleming 20.
Hanborough 69 (3½), Banbury Central B 67 (2½) (Hanborough skips first): M Oliver 15, R Cox 15; K Williams 25, M Leather 13; G Thompson 15, T McKenna 16; G Haynes 14, J Pickering 23; 
Headington B 95 (6) Chadlington 52 (0) (Headington skips first): M Kershaw 24, P Radbone 9; R Edwards 21, C Smart 14; S Gould 29, P Madeley 9; C Harris 21, R Arthur 20.
Division 4
South Oxford B 84 (4), OUPP78 (2) (S Oxford skips first): D Lyne 18, G Jordan 19; P Power 25, P Tweddle 20; D Bye 27, T Cox 15; J Guest 14, R Cann 24; 
Thame 104 (4), City & County B 60 (2) (Thame skips first): P Heafey 35, T Gripe 14; K Calcutt 19, G Powell 23; R Plested 40, R Lucas 7; R Jenner 10,  B Stone 16.
Woodstock 106 (6), West Oxford 68 (0) (Woodstock skips first): D Francis 34, G Richardson 14; B Clarke 24, C Sherwood 20; P Shipton 25, J Parker 17; T Stevens 23, A Blackburn 17.