Week 14 August 12th

BLACKBIRD CHAMPIONS
The Blackbird were crowned Section One champions in impressive fashion with a commanding 3-0 victory away at The Black Horse ‘A’. Carrying a two-doll handicap, Blackbird set the target in all three legs and edged a tight opening contest 20-18.
From there, the newly crowned champions really hit their stride, powering to victories in the next two legs, 29-23 and 30-21. Aaron Presley (3-4-4) and Martin Cook (2-5-4) were the stars of the show, both finishing with 11 dolls, while Pete Rampton was top dog for Black Horse with a baker’s dozen (4-5-4).

PREMIER SECTION TITLE RACE GOES DOWN TO THE WIRE
The race for the Premier Section title remains too close to call after both the leading sides dropped vital points.
Leaders Littlemore British Legion made a blistering start at home to Black Horse ‘B’. Chasing a set of 19 in the opening leg, Legion blew the target away with an impressive 29 dolls. However, they came crashing back to earth in the second, falling agonisingly short of a target of 22 with 21.
With the match resting on the final leg, Black Horse set 22, but this time Legion made no mistake, responding with 24 to secure both the leg and the match. It was another two points in the bag, but that dropped leg could prove extremely costly when the title race reaches its conclusion.
Kevin Baker (4-5-4) Legion, and Alan Surman (5-4-4) Black Horse led the way both finishing with 13 dolls.

The White House remain just two points behind the leaders, but they also dropped a precious point away at Masons Arms ‘A’. White House started strongly, taking the opening leg 25-19, but chasing just 21 in the second they unexpectedly faltered, managing only 20 and allowing Masons to level the contest.
Masons set 19 in the deciding leg, but White House responded in style, clanging off an impressive 27 dolls to take the leg and the match. With so little separating the leading sides, though, that dropped point could come back to haunt them. Top doll scorer Roger Goodall hit a baker’s dozen (5-4-4) while Kevin Duffy for The Masons hit a standard dozen (4-4-4).

The Jolly Sportsman are waiting patiently in the wings, ready to pounce should the leaders slip again, but they too suffered from the dreaded dropped-leg curse at home to Ampleforth Arms ‘A’.
Sportsman looked firmly in control after winning the opening two legs 22-17 and 23-17, but then came an almighty stumble in the final leg. Chasing a modest target of just 17, they struggled throughout the order and eventually finished one doll short on 16, surrendering a point that could prove significant in the final reckoning.

There was some consolation for New Club ‘A’, as James Morrison produced one of the best individual performances of the night with an excellent 14 dolls (6-5-3) in their 2-1 home victory over North Leigh FC.
New Club took the opening leg 25-22, but could only set 21 in the second. North Leigh took full advantage, racing to 25 to level the match. The visitors then set 24 in the decider, but New Club held their nerve with a consistent 27 to seal victory.
Charlie Buckingham was the pick of the North Leigh side, throwing well to finish with a dozen dolls (3-5-4).
With the leading three sides all dropping points, the Premier Section title race is becoming increasingly difficult to predict—and every dropped leg could now prove decisive.

SECTION TWO TITLE RACE THROWN WIDE OPEN
The Section Two title race has been blown wide open, with just four points separating the top four and all of the leading sides dropping points in a dramatic round of fixtures.
Leaders Six Bells ‘C’ suffered a surprise setback away at bottom side Catherine Wheel ‘B’, surrendering a point after appearing to be cruising towards a maximum win. Six Bells took the opening two legs 19-17 and 21-14 to establish a 2-0 lead, but then suffered a spectacular collapse in the final leg, managing to set just 13.
The Wheel struggled to take advantage but eventually limped over the line by the odd doll, edging home 14-13 to claim an unexpected point and give the leaders a timely warning.

Second-placed Donnington Club ‘C’ suffered an even heavier blow to their title aspirations as they were completely outplayed by hosts Queens Head ‘A’. Donnington never looked comfortable and were comfortably beaten in all three legs, going down 19-14, 18-13 and 15-14.

Donnington Club ‘A’ also endured a night to forget when they were surprisingly whitewashed by their B team. The A side lost the opening leg 13-10 before fighting back to tie the second leg at 16-16. However, Donnington B held their nerve in the three-stick shoot-out to take the leg.
The B team then completed an excellent night's work by running out 16-7 winners in the final leg, securing a memorable 3-0 victory and putting a serious dent in their A team's title ambitions.

WADs Bar were the big winners from the chaos at the top, taking full advantage of the slip-ups by claiming maximum points at home to New Club ‘B’. Richard Wyness led the way with 10 dolls (3-3-4) as WADs swept aside their visitors 19-14, 16-10 and 18-11.
With the top four now separated by just four points, the Section Two title race is anyone's to win. The latest results have ensured that every point—and perhaps every leg—could prove crucial before the champions are crowned.

COWLEY WORKERS STRENGTHEN THEIR GRIP AT THE TOP
Cowley Workers now have one hand on the Section 3 title after opening up an eight-point lead at the top, although the dropped-leg curse appears to be following them all the way through the league. Perhaps it has something to do with the eclipse of the sun!
The league leaders travelled to Red Lion Yarnton and got off to a flying start, easily chasing down a set of 10 with an impressive 20. Looking to build on that advantage, Workers could only muster a set of 12 in the second leg, and Red Lion took full advantage, roaring back with 16 to level the game.
Workers regained their composure in the deciding leg and showed exactly why they are sitting proudly at the top of the table. Setting 21, they then restricted Red Lion to just 13 to secure a valuable 2-1 victory.
It was a difficult night all round, though, with not a single player managing to reach double figures.

Ampleforth Arms ‘B’ remain ready to pounce should Cowley Workers slip up, but they had to survive a tremendous battle at home to Masons Arms ‘B’, with two legs going to three sticks and the result easily capable of being reversed.
Ampleforth set 15 in the opening leg and looked to be cruising when Masons struggled, leaving anchor-man Joe Bandrowski needing all six dolls to win the leg outright. Bandrowski gave it everything but fell just one doll short, hitting five to send the leg to three sticks.
The Ampleforth held their nerve in the shoot-out, edging it 9-5 to take the opening leg.
The second leg was every bit as close, finishing tied at 13-13 and once again going to three sticks. And once again, Ampleforth prevailed, this time edging the shoot-out 6-5. Having survived two major scares, Ampleforth finally put the result beyond doubt in the final leg, winning 16-13 to complete a 3-0 whitewash.
Bandrowski was outstanding despite being on the losing side, finishing with a dozen dolls (5-3-4).

Six Bells ‘B’ returned to winning ways after suffering defeats in their previous two matches, but they had to come from behind to defeat visitors Headington Con Club 2-1.
Con Club excelled in the opening leg, setting 19 and then defending it successfully as Bells could only reply with 13.
Bells responded in the second, setting 13 and putting the pressure firmly back on their opponents. Con Club fell agonisingly short, finishing on 12 to leave the match all square.
Six Bells then completed the comeback in emphatic fashion, setting and winning the deciding leg 23-12.
Terry Lester led the way for the Bells with a fine dozen dolls (3-4-5), while Brayden Shields was top scorer for Con Club with 11 (5-3-3).

Catherine Wheel ‘C’ and Littlemore Legion ‘B’ finished with the same overall number of dolls, but it was the Wheel who eventually came out on top after another impressive comeback.
Catherine Wheel set just 11 in the opening leg, a total that was never likely to trouble Legion, who surpassed it comfortably with 16 to take an early lead.
Legion then set 14 in the second leg, but Catherine Wheel refused to lie down. Anchor-man Kevin McMahon stepped up when it mattered most, whipping off the winning dolls to take the Wheel to 16 and level the match.
Legion opted to set in the deciding leg, but the decision backfired as they could only manage 10. Catherine Wheel rolled past that total with 13 to complete the turnaround and claim a 2-1 victory.
Dean Jacobs was the pick of the Legion players, throwing well for 10 dolls (4-3-3).

SECTION 4 TITLE RACE TO CLOSE TO CALL
It’s still anyone’s title in Section 4, with just five points separating the top three, and leaders Red Lion Cassington were made to work hard for their latest victory as they edged past Vikings Sports Club 2-1 away from home.
The Lion roared into an early lead, setting and comfortably seeing off the Vikings 18-7 in the opening leg. Vikings responded strongly in the second, setting 13 and holding their nerve to take it 13-11 and level the match.
With everything resting on the final leg, Vikings set 12 and looked to put the leaders under pressure. Cassington, though, showed why they are top of the table, keeping their composure and hitting 15 to take the deciding leg and two valuable points.

Second-placed Bletchingdon Sports enjoyed a far more comfortable evening, cruising to a maximum 3-0 victory at home to struggling Corner House. Bletchingdon took the opening leg 10-3 before stepping up the scoring to win the second 15-4 and complete the whitewash with a 15-6 success in the third.
Corner House are still waiting for their first leg win of the season, but they continue to turn up every week and give it their best shot. Surely that elusive point can’t be too far away!
The Tandem are certainly finding their stride, making it three wins on the bounce with a 2-1 victory away at The White Hart. They raced into a 2-0 lead, taking the opening legs 14-10 and 15-13, but their hopes of a maximum were dashed in the third.
Chasing a set of 11, The Tandem faltered badly and could only muster seven, allowing The White Hart to claim some consolation.

Rose Hill ‘B’ put an end to a four-game losing streak in dramatic fashion, claiming a maximum 3-0 home win against Gardiners Arms. They made a confident start, taking the opening two legs 14-9 and 18-9, before being set 11 in the decider.
What should have been a straightforward chase turned into anything but. Rose Hill had managed just three dolls by halfway and added only another three with the next two players. With the pressure mounting, they needed their tail to wag — and it certainly did!
Aiden Cadle and anchor-man Tony Eeles both produced three dolls apiece to drag Rose Hill over the line with 12 and complete the whitewash. Micky Bates was their top scorer with a useful nine dolls (3-4-2).

Rose Hill Club ‘A’ somehow secured a 3-0 victory away at Kidlington Football Club despite their first two players failing to register a single doll all night!
Rose Hill set 16 in the opening leg, leaving Kidlington anchor-man Daryl Connelly needing all six to tie. Connelly gave it everything but fell just short, hitting five for a total of 15 as Rose Hill took the leg by the narrowest of margins.
The visitor’s then doubled their advantage in the second, setting 17 and winning it 17-14.
Kidlington set 15 in the final leg and, with Rose Hill struggling badly in reply, it looked as though the Football Club might finally get on the board. But father-and-son duo Dane and Brian Lovatt came to the rescue. Dane contributed two before Brian followed with three, helping Rose Hill sneak over the line with 16 to complete the maximum win. William Davenport was in top form for Rose Hill with 10 dolls (2-3-5), while Connelly hit a dozen dolls (5-3-4).
It was hardly a textbook performance from Rose Hill ‘A’, but the result is all that matters, and the three points keep their title hopes very much alive.

SIXERS
J.Morrison (New Club ‘A’)

BLOBBERS
W.Cormack (Bletchingdon Sports) S. Calire, D.Ward (Corner House) L.Barrett, N.Pitson (Rose Hill ‘A’) D.Beer (Gardiners Arms) S.Oliver (Vikings Sports) C.Warman (Littlemore Legion ‘B’)


HIGH SCORERS
14: J.Morrison (New Club ‘A’)
13: K.Baker (Littlemore Legion) A.Surman (Black Horse ‘B’) P.Rampton (Black Horse ‘A’) R.Goodall (White House)

TOP LEG SCORE
29 Littlemore British Legion 'A'

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