REIGNING champions Holton A got the defence of their Oxford & District Division 1 title off to a flying start with a 9-1 win at home to Forum B.

Elson Costa and Mark Scott both recorded maximums for Holton, while Fraser Harris edged out Darren Palmer to save the visitors from a whitewash.

Bicester A also had an excellent start, beating Vikings A 9-1, thanks to maximums from Dave Ralls and Tony Gorman British Rail eased past Rutherford 7-3, as Darren Jones and Neil Cartwright both won all their matches.

OXFORD & DISTRICT LEAGUE

Div 1: Holton A 9 (E Costa 3, M Scott 3), Forum B 1; Bicester A 9 (D Ralls 3, T Gorman 3), Vikings A 1; British Rail 7 (D Jones 3, N Cartwright 3), RAL 3.

Div 2: Bicester C 6 (T Wong 3), Begbroke A 4; Bicester B 2, Vikings B 8(T Bowden 3, H Morgan 3).

Div 3: Forum E 9 (R Hambridge 3, B Hallett 3), Bicester D 1; Gladiators A 10 (K Giles 3, P Knight 3, M Penn 3), Forum F 0; Gladiators B 8 (C Westbury 3), Holton B 2.

Div 4: Holton C 1, Gladiators C 9 (C Mellon 3, J Speedy 3); SEMMLE 2, Forum H 8 (L Kerridge 3); Vikings C 9 (T Bachkirova 3, K Rae 3), Bicester E 1.