Week 1 April 29th

The 88th Oxford & District Aunt Sally League season got underway on a crisp, cold evening, but the action across all divisions was anything but subdued, with high-quality throwing, tight finishes and a few early surprises setting the tone for the campaign ahead.

In the Premier Division, reigning champions The White House were pushed all the way before securing a hard-fought 2–1 victory at The Black Horse ‘A’. Roger Goodall produced the standout performance of the night, clanging an excellent 16 dolls (6-5-5) as White House set a strong 27 in the opening leg. With the hosts sitting on 15 and only three throws remaining, the visitors looked in control, but a dramatic late surge—three from Jason Fox and five apiece from Steve Ward and Steve Walton—snatched the leg 28–27 in stunning fashion. White House responded like champions, taking the second leg comfortably 31–24, before edging a tense decider 26–24. Adie Cross added 15 (5-6-4) for the visitors, while Walton’s 14 (5-4-5) led the scoring for The Horse.

At Littlemore British Legion ‘A’, newly promoted Blackbird made a promising start by claiming the opening leg 25–20. However, the experienced Legion side hit back with composure, taking the next two legs 26–20 and 25–21 to secure a 2–1 victory.

Black Horse ‘B’ produced one of the standout performances of the night with a convincing 3–0 win away at The Jolly Sportsman, the new home of the Eynsham Swan team. The opening leg was tied at 25–25 before Horse edged it on three sticks. They carried that momentum into the second leg, winning 26–17, highlighted by Michael Trafford’s first-ever six. The visitors completed the whitewash with a 25–22 win in the final leg. Trafford finished with 11 dolls (2-6-3), matched by Mark Hewitson for The Sportsman (3-4-4)

There was an early upset at New Club ‘A’, where pre-season title favourites were beaten 2–1 by The Ampleforth Arms ‘A’. The hosts started well, taking the first leg 22–17, but were unable to maintain momentum, slipping to 20–25 loss in the second leg, before setting just 21 in the decider. Ampleforth seized their chance, returning 23 to complete an impressive comeback.

North Leigh FC marked their return with a spirited performance but lost 2–1 to Masons Arms ‘A’. After taking the opener 25–20, they were edged out 25–27 in the second, before Masons sealed the match 26–20 in the final leg. Chris Webb 12 (4-4-4) and Charlie Buckingham 12, (5-4-3) were the standout scorers.

SECTION 2
In Section 2, Garsington Sports Club, playing outside the top sections for the first time in over two decades, found life tough but earned a point in a 1–2 defeat to Six Bells ‘C’, taking the final leg 22–16 after losing 14–15 and 14–18.

Catherine Wheel ‘A’ had a fine 3-0 win at WADs bar, winning the first two legs 17-14, 18-16 but had to rely on a three sticker in the final leg after it was tied 17-17.

Newly promoted New Club ‘B’ had a cracking start at local rivals Queens Head ‘A’ winning the first two legs 20-11, 16-13. Queens responded well in the final leg setting and winning it 20-16 thanks to a six from Dave Matthews who top scored with 11 dolls (2-3-6).

The two Donnington teams B & C clashed and it was the C team that came out on top 2-1. They won the first two legs at a canter 21-17, 19-15. The final leg was tied 17-17 with the B team winning it on three sticks to claim the final point.

Newly formed Donnington Club’ A’ had the perfect start to their season whitewashing hosts Catherine Wheel ‘B’ 3-0. They won all three legs 16-13, 21-15, 21-15.

SECTION 3
Section 3 also produced its share of drama. Headington Con Club made the short trip to Littlemore Rugby Club and came away with a close 2-1 victory. A set of only eight in the opening leg by The Rugby club was never going to trouble the Con club who passed that with ease hitting 13 dolls in return. Ruby club set 12 in the second leg and it looked to be enough as Con club only had seven on the board with two to throw, however a four from Steve Bennett left anchor man Adam Breivik needing just two win, however he could only knock off the doll once to send the leg to a three stick shoot out, which the Rugby Club won to level the match. Final and deciding leg went to the Con club in a close leg of 17-15. Steve Bennett top scored for The Con club with 10 dolls (2-4-4).

Ampleforth Arms B started off with a bang winning all three legs at home to Queens Head ‘B’ 16-14, 16-9, 17-14. Richard Kershaw threw well with 11 dolls (3-5-3) for The Amp.

Kevin McMahon led the way for Catherine Wheel ‘C’ with 11 dolls (5-4-2) in their 2-1 win at home to Cowley Workers. They raced into a two nil lead winning both legs 17-12, 18-16 with The Workers winning the final leg 16-12 for a hard fought point.

Six Bells ‘B’ beat an inconsistent Littlemore British Legion ‘B team 2-1 at home. Bells won the opener 15-8. In the second leg Legion set and doubled their score hitting 16 which was enough to win them the leg after Bells responded with 12. Legion set the final and deciding leg but could only go one better than their opening score with 9. Bells passed that with players spare hitting 15 to win the leg and game.

Masons Arms ‘B’ comfortably won the first two legs at home to Red Lion Yarnton 17-10, 16-11, however standards slipped in the final leg which they lost 11-14.

SECTION 4
In Section 4, Rose Hill ‘B’ set the early pace with a comfortable 3–0 win over The Corner House, winning all three legs 12-5, 14-6, 13-7. Rose Hill’s Mark Faulkner top scored hitting 11 dolls (2-5-4).

Rose Hill ‘A’ could not match their B team as they crashed to a 3-0 defeat at Vikings Sports ‘C’. They won the opening leg 12-8, and then set 10 in the second leg. In reply Rose Hill hit half the total with the top half of the team but four scores of one by the last four players left them one doll short to give Vikings a two nil lead. Rose Hill set the final leg with 12 and it looked to be enough when Vikings only had four on the board by the halfway stage of throwing. However their tailed wagged leaving anchor man Barry White needing just one to win the leg, which he achieved with a stick to spare to give Vikings the maximum win.

Kidlington Football Club handed newcomers The Gardeners Arms a tough introduction with a 3–0 win, Daryl Connelly lead the way with 10 dolls (4-3-3) winning all three legs 11-8, 14-6, 13-10.

Red Lion Cassington threw well at The White Hart and claimed three points winning all three legs 13-8, 20-6, 11-7.

The Tandem welcomed Bletchingdon Sports and had to rely on a three sticker to win the opening leg after it was tied 9-9. Tandem set and won the second leg 14-11. Bletch set the final leg with 13 and in reply The Tandem left anchor man David Allsworth needing two to win, which he managed with a stick spare giving them 14 in total and with the leg and game.

With fine individual performances, narrow margins and an early upset among the title contenders, the opening night has already laid the foundations for what promises to be a fiercely competitive 2026 season.

SIXERS
R.Goodall, A.Cross (White House) M.Traford (Black Horse ‘B’) D.Matthews (Queens Head A)
BLOBBERS
D.Ward, S.Nemsley (Corner House) P.Simpson (Vatherine Wheel B) I.Golby, L.Golder (Gardener Arms) D.Sealey (Littlemore B.L. B) M.Ming (White Hart)

TOP SCORES
16: R.Goodall (White House)
15: A.Cross (White House)
14: S.Walton (Black Horse ‘A’)

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