WOODMAN and Gladiators A fought out a thrilling top-flight clash where Jeff Glenister and Chris Jenkins both starred with 15 dolls, writes ANDY BEAL.

Visiting side Gladiators came out on top after three closely-fought legs, the outcome decided on a three-stick shoot-out.

Woodman set an impressive 29 in the opening leg. Gladiators anchor man Kevin Baker needed six to tie and he almost pulled it off, hitting five, missing with his fourth stick.

They drew level, however, with a 26-24 success.

Gladiators set 25 in the final leg, which Woodman matched, but it was the visitors who triumphed on three sticks, their 13 proving enough.

Glenister (6-5-4) and Gladiators’ Jenkins (5-6-4) were both in fine form, with Martin Cook (5-4-5) also enjoying a good night for the winning side.

Swan A still lead the pack after coming from behind to beat New Club A 2-1 with leg scores of 22-27, 30-22, 26-23.

Veteran Mick Berry had a mixed night, hitting one in his first throw, a six in his next, but then failing to trouble the doll in the final leg.

Garsington Sports Club have lost top spot in Section 1 after their second successive home defeat, this time to George A, who in turn recorded their first win in four.

Black Prince had a comfortable 3-0 win at Red Lion A Yarnton with an impressive score of 32 in the middle leg. Roger Goodall (5-4-5) led the way with 14 dolls as they won 26-16, 32-20, 24-17.

Chequers A went down 2-1 at Swan B, leaving them still seeking their first win of the season. Garry Baily (4-5-4) and Mark Hewitson (5-4-4) both threw well for Swan.

Section 2 leaders Donnington Club C beat basement side Red Lion A Kidlington 3-0, with the consistent Josh Breakspear (4-4-4) leading the way in a 19-17, 20-18,

24-17 success.

Gladiators C kept up the pressure with an impressive 3-0 home win over title contenders Six Bells D.

Mark Washington (5-4-5) hit 14 dolls for Ampleforth Arms A, but it was to no avail as they lost 2-1 at Six Bells E Kidlington 2-1.

Phil Simpson (4-5-4) hit a baker’s dozen in Donnington Club A’s 3-0 win at home to Red Lion A Marston.

Six Bells A Kidlington boosted their title ambitions by defeating Section 3 leaders Gladiators B 2-1.

Only one point separates the top three teams in Section 4.

Catherine Wheel are top after a 3-0 win over basement boys Vikings Sports A, with Steve Tooke (6-4-4) in fine form.

They are a point clear of Cowley Workers, who beat Bullnose Morris B 3-0, and Red Lion B Yarnton, who saw off Green Road Club A 2-1.

The top two met in Section 5, with leaders Cricketers Cowley beating Vikings Sports C 2-1 to move two points clear.

Hosts Catherine Wheel A shocked Section 6 front-runners Red Lion B Kidlington 3-0.

Prince of Wales took over top spot after they whitewashed Golden Ball, who are still looking to taste victory this season.

Section 7 leaders Headington Con Club recorded a seventh straight win when they beat Red Lion Cassington 2-1.

RESULTS

OXFORD & DISTRICT LEAGUE

Premier/Section 1: Chequers A 1, Swan B 2; Red Lion A 0, Black Prince 3; Garsington Sports 1, George A 2; Woodman 1, Gladiators A 2; New Club A 1, Swan A 2.

Section 2: Tiddington Cricket Club 1, Bullnose Morris A 2; Gladiators C 3, Six Bells D 0; Six Bells E 2, Ampleforth Arms A 1; Donnington Club A 3, Red Lion A Marston 0; Donnington Club C 3, Red Lion A Kidlington 0.

Section 3: George B 2, Seacourt Bridge 1; Gladiators B 1, Six Bells A 2; Six Bells B 1, Queens Head 2; New Club B 3, Rose Hill Club 0; Masons Arms A 2, Littlemore BL A 1.

Section 4: Blackbird 2, Swan C 1; Northway Club C 2, Vikings Sports B 1; Vikings Sports A 0, Catherine Wheel B 3; Green Road Club A 1, Red Lion B 2; Cowley Workers Club 3, Bullnose Morris B 0.

Section 5: Ampleforth Arms B 3, Littlemore BL B 0; Red Lion B 2, Vikings Sports D 1; Vikings Sports C 1, Cricketers Cowley 2; Masons Arms B 3, The Tandem 0; Donnington Club B 2, Cricketers Arms Littleworth 1.

Section 6: Catherine Wheel A 3, Red Lion B 0; Golden Ball 0, Prince of Wales 3; Duke of Monmouth 1, Chequers B 2; Bletchington Sports Club 3, Kidlington Football Club A 0; Green Road Club B 3, White Horse 0.

Section 7: Marston BL 3, White Hart Wolvercote 0; Kidlington FC B 3, East Oxford Con Club 2; Red Lion 1, Headington Con Club 2; Democrats Club 2, Northway Club B 1; White Hart Wytham 3, Yarnton BL 0.

Top doll scorers: 15 – J Glenister (Woodman), C Jenkins (Gladiators A).

14 – M Cook (Gladiators A), R Goodall (Black Prince), M Washington (Ampleforth Arms A), S Tooke (Catherine Wheel B).

13 – M Bailey & M Hewitson (Swan B), R Bradford (Black Prince), P Simpson (Donnington Club A).

Sixers: J Glenister (Woodman), C Jenkins (Gladiators A), M Berry (Swan A), G Townsend (Chequers A), J Allnutt (Gladiators B), S Tooke (Catherine Wheel B).

Blobbers: R Baker (Vikings Sports A), D Rees (White Hart Wolvercote), R Axtell & B Coffee (Yarnton British Legion), A Varney, W Beaven & W Cox (Northway Club B).

BICESTER & DISTRICT LEAGUE

(sponsored by Lodge Garage Mazda, Kingswood)

Premier/Div 1: Pheasant Inn 0, Highfield SC 3; Nut Tree 1, Black Bull A 2; Black Bull B 1, Crown A 2; White Lion 3, Ex Services 0.

Div 2: Red Cow 3, Prince of Wales 0; White Horse 2, Muddy Duck 1; Brill S&SC B 1, Bell Bicester 2; Lion 0, Bull Inn A 3.

Div 3: Bull & Butcher B 1, Brill S&SC A 2; Chandos Arms 3, Shakespeare 0; Chearsley Cricketers 1, Ashton Club 2; Butchers Arms 1, Barley Mow 2.

Div 4: Harrison 2, Fox Souldern 1; White Hart 2, Plough A 1; Crown Twyford 3, Bull Inn B 0; Red Lion Finmere 2, Hundred Acres 1.

Div 5: Blacks Head 1, Bull & Butcher A 2; Crown B 3 Fountain 0; Safari Garden 1, Eight Bells 2; Plough Casuals 3, Black Bull Divas 0.

Sixers: D Gardner (Bull Inn A), J Plested (Butchers Arms).