DEMOCRATS Club moved joint top of Oxford & District League Division 1 with a brilliant 4-2 home win over Oracle.

Richard Garrett (5,880 & 4,090) and John Patey (9,590 & 7,210) claimed a pair of victories, while Mark Trafford (8,530 & 10,820, break 10,460) got the visitors on the board.

Masons crashed to a 4-2 defeat at Berinsfield, despite winning the opening leg through Jack Clements.

With the score level at 2-2, David Naylor (5,660) and John Boal (4,910) secured victory for the home side.

Division 2 side Gladiators Club staged a shock by winning their first game of the season at Premier Division Donnington’s expense.

The hosts had gone 2-0 down after wins from Sue Atkins and Dennis Atkins (8,700), but Bert Lovegrove’s double inspired the fightback, Bob Pincombe (5,430) Dave Jarman (5,520) also winning.

Leaders Vikings B beat Staff Club 5-1 at home, Sean Stratford and Melvyn Johnson with two wins apiece and Vinnie Brown chipping in.

Chris Iagoe (5,830) saved the visitors from a whitewash.

Headington Con Club lost 5-1 at home to Vikings A.

Roger Tomlin won the opening leg for the hosts, but they lost their next five games, Allan Lacey top-scoring with 8,100.