GLADIATORS A were in sensational form at George A, scoring 94 dolls on their way to an emphatic 3-0 victory, writes ANDY BEAL.
Chasing in every leg, the Premier Division title contenders, who are second in the table, roared to a convincing success.
George set 24 in the opening leg, but were blown away by a staggering 34.
The next leg was even more one-sided, Gladiators chasing down their 20-doll target with ease, notching 32.
They completed the whitewash with a 28-24 success in the finale.
Chris Jenkins (4-5-5) top-scored with 14 dolls, backed up by Jason Weller (4-5-4),
Martin Cook (5-5-3) and Kevin Baker (5-4-4), who each hit 13 in an impressive team display.
George’s Luke Purcell was unfortunate to be on the losing side after hitting 15 dolls (5-5-5), making him the week’s top-scorer.
Woodman’s four-game winning streak came to a halt at Garsington Sports when they lost 2-1 despite winning the opening leg.
New Club A had a fine 2-1 home win over Black Prince.
Victories in the first two legs sealed the win, before their rivals avoided a clean sweep with a 26-23 triumph in the finale.
Chequers A got off to a flying start by hitting 28 on their way to taking the opening leg at Red Lion A Yarnton.
However, the hosts hit back to take the next two 24-18, 26-17 to leave Chequers still looking for their first win of the season.
Swan A overpowered their B team 3-0 with Keith Powell (5-4-5) and Terry Stuart (3-5-5) leading the way.
In Section 2, Steve Ward bagged a six in his 14-doll haul (6-5-3) for Six Bells D Kidlington.
However, it proved in vain as they lost 2-1 to leaders Donnington C.
Tiddington Cricket Club made it three wins on the bounce when they triumphed 2-1 at Gladiators C, despite Darren Cox hitting a six for the losers.
Ampleforth Arms A saw their title ambitions take a knock when they went down 2-1 at home to Red Lion A Marston.
With the game nicely poised at 1-1, Ampleforth needed 20 in the decider.
But after a nightmare start with a blob, anchor man Mark Washington was left needing all six to tie but fell agonisingly short with five to give the Lion victory.
George B shocked Section 3 leaders Gladiators B with a 2-1 away win.
A tense opening leg saw the George triumph 22-21, only for Gladiators to draw level in the next leg 15-13.
When they set only 13 in the decider, George made no mistake and scored 18 to claim victory.
Ken Bradbury hit a steady 12 dolls (4-4-4) for Gladiators.
Queens Head have now lost three on the bounce after going down 2-1 at Rose Hill, the hosts winning 22-18, 14-20, 21-15.
Ex-professional footballer Garry Parker, who played for Aston Villa, Leicester and Notts Forest, showed he still retained plenty of natural talent when scoring 12 dolls (4-4-4) for Six Bells A Kidlington in their 3-0 win at Masons Arms.
LATEST RESULTS
OXFORD & DISTRICT LEAGUE
Premier/Section 1: George A 0, Gladiators A 3; Red Lion A 2, Chequers A 1; Garsington Sports 2, Woodman 1; Swan A 3, Swan B 0; New Club A 2, Black Prince 1.
Section 2: Ampleforth Arms A 1, Red Lion A Marston 2; Gladiators C 1, Tiddington Cricket Club 2; Donnington Club C 2, Six Bells D 1; Six Bells E 3, Donnington Club A 0.
Section 3: Queens Head 1, Rose Hill Club 2; Gladiators B 1, George B 2; Littlemore BL A 1, Seacourt Bridge 2; Masons Arms A 0, Six Bells A 3.
Section 4: Catherine Wheel B 2, Red Lion B 1; Northway Club C 2, Blackbird 1; Vikings Sports A 1, Green Road Club A 2; Bullnose Morris B 2, Swan C 1; Cowley Workers Club 2, Vikings Sports B 1.
Section 5: Cricketers Arms Cowley 3, Tandem 0; Red Lion B 2, Ampleforth Arms B 1; Vikings Sports C 1, Masons Arms B 2; Cricketers Arms Littleworth 2, Littlemore BL B 1; Donnington Club B 2, Vikings Sports D 1.
Section 6: Chequers B 1, Kidlington FC A 2; Duke of Monmouth 3, Bletchington Sports 0; White Horse 2, Red Lion B 1; Green Road Club B 2, Prince of Wales 1.
Section 7: Headington Con Club 3, Northway Club B 0; Kidlington FC B 1, Marston BL 2; Red Lion 1, Democrats Club 2; Yarnton BL 3, White Hart Wolvercote 0; White Hart Wytham 2, East Oxford Con Club 1.
TOP DOLL SCORERS:
15: Lu Purcell (George A).
14: P Jackson (Garsington Sports Club), C Jenkins (Gladiators A), S Ward (Six Bells D), K Powell (Swan A).
13: B Ruffles (Garsington Sports Club), C Buckingham (Woodman), J Weller, M Cook, K Baker (Gladiators A), T Stuart (Swan A).
SIXERS: G Glenister (Woodman), S Ward (Six Bells D), D Cox (Gladiators C), R Goodall (Black Prince), L Hazell (Six Bells E).
BLOBBERS: N Rudman (Littlemore BL A), A Beachamp (Kidlington FC B), S Kenny (Red Lion B Kidlington), B Shields (White Horse)
BICESTER AND DISTRICT AUNT SALLY LEAGUE
(sponsored by Lodge Garage Mazda, Kingswood)
Premier/Division 1: Pheasant Inn 2, White Lion 1; Black Bull B 3, Ex Services 0; Highfield SC 0, Black Bull A 3; Nut Tree 1, Crown A 2.
Division 2: Red Cow 3, Brill S&SC B 0; Bull Inn A 2, Bell Bicester 1; White Horse 1, The Lion 2; Prince of Wales 2, Muddy Duck 1.
Division 3: Bull & Butcher B 2, Butchers Arms 1; Chearsley Cricketers 0, Barley Mow 3; Chandos Arms 2, Ashton Club 1; Brill S&SC A 3, Shakespeare 0.
Division 4: White Hart 2, Red Lion Finmere 0; The Harrison 2, Hundred Acres 1; Crown Twyford 3, Fox Souldern 0; Plough A 0, Bull Inn B 3.
Division 5: Crown B 3, Plough Casuals 0; Blacks Head 3, Black Bull Divas 0; Safari Garden 0, Bull & Butcher A 3; Fountain 3, Eight Bells 0.
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