Oxford A take a slender 3-2 lead into the return leg of their Inter Area competition second-round tie against Oxford C at the Gladiators on Thursday night.

The A team’s Mark Trafford was the top scorer in the first leg at the Democrats, racking up more than 10,000. In the Inter Area C Team competition, Oxford D won their return leg against Northants at the Nelson 3-2 for a 7-3 aggregate victory.

Lewis Stratford (4,400) took the opening game with Craig Mace (2,520) and Mick Murphy (3,010) reeling off the next two.

With the match over, Northants won the last two games.

ENTRIES for the Oxford & District Summer League and proposals for next week’s annual meeting at the Gladiators must be with the secretary by this weekend.