KEN Maunder became the latest player to just miss out on a magical maximum, writes ANDY BEAL.

The Garsington Sports man clanged off the doll with his first 15 sticks in the match against The Three Pigeons.

But he then missed the next two, before being successful with his final stick for a 16-doll haul.

Maunder’s efforts were not enough for victory either – Pigeons running out 2-1 winners thanks to leg scores of 30-29, 31-30, 29-26.

Paul Townsend top-scored for the winners with 14 dolls (4-5-5).

John Horton whipped off a bakers’ dozen (3-5-5) as Black Swan defeated George 2-1.

Swan won the first leg on three sticks after it was tied.

They ensured victory by taking the next leg 29-27, before George grabbed a point in the final leg 31-25.

John Weller bagged himself a six in his 13 dolls (4-3-6) for George.

Ian Grant was another six-hitter as the Six Bells, Kidlington beat Headington British Legion 3-0.

Grant bagged 14 dolls (4-6-4) in his side’s victory.

In Section 2, Alan Holt (4-5-4) and David Leopold (6-1-5) steered Punch Bowl to a 2-1 win at the Woodman Inn.

Squire Bassett scored more dolls than their opponents, Six Bells Quarry, but still lost 2-1 – thanks to a dismal second leg when they hit just ten.

Royal Sun came away from the Amp-leforth Arms with maximum points in Section 3, but the game was closer than the score suggests.

Sun won the first leg on a three-stick shoot-out, before claiming the second 20-19.

A six from Dave Homer, who ended up with 14 dolls (5-3-6), helped them win the final leg 24-18.

Andy Bradford hit 13 dolls (3-5-5) as Three Horseshoes beat Tiddington Cricket Club 2-1.

Danny Brown was in top form in Section 4 – hitting 15 dolls (6-4-5) in Seacourt Bridge’s 19-15, 23-20, 18-13 victory at home to Masons Arms.

Arthur Yardy hit a rare six as Fairview came from behind to beat Garsington Sports Club B 2-1.

In Section 5, Brian Simpson clanged off 13 dolls (4-4-5) in Donnington Club’s 2-1 victory over The Chandos Arms B.

Quarry Gate proved too strong for Catherine Wheel A in Section 6, enjoying a comfortable 3-0 home win.

Eric Taylor (5-6-2) and Mick Jones (5-4-3) led the way in the leg scores of 24-12, 20-16, 19-11.

The Nut Tree’s anchor man Martin Pratley had mixed fortunes in their 3-0 win away at Black Bull.

Chasing a set of 11, Pratley was left needing one to win, but failed to trouble the doll to send the leg into a three-stick shoot out, which Nut Tree won.

Chasing 15 in the next leg, once again Pratley was left needing one to win, but this time he made no mistake and clanged off four dolls.