Cholsey's third pair of Geoffrey Deeley and Patrick Clayman fought back from a set behind to give their side a narrow 5-4 victory over Banbury in Division 1 of the Men's 3-Pair League.

But the inaccurate order of pairings looks to have proved crucial as the visitors scraped home.

Cholsey's first pair of Patrick Warburton and Jordan Chaney picked up just half a rubber, while Deeley and Clayman collected two-and-a-half at No 3, and Jason Harrison and Matthew Watkins two at second pair.

In the league regulations, No 17, it is printed three times in bold text that 'pairs must play in strict order of merit', but it appears that an increasing number of clubs are shuffling their order to try and pull off victory.

However, Cholsey captain, Phil Warr - who did not play in the match - said that 'nothing was done under-handedly' by his side.

"Pat Warburton has won the club championship twice and is the No 1 player, which is why he was at top pair," he said.

"Jordan is one of the better juniors at the club, and if he doesn't play, is never likely to get the experience he needs.

"So it was all about who he played with, and as a couple of other people, including myself, could not play, we put him with Pat.

"Nothing was done under-handedly at all, we just played it how we thought it was right."

The league say that they will be clamping down on teams who continue to break the rules.

"We are sending out an e-mail to all match secretaries regarding playing in strict order of merit, late result cards, late notification of rearranged dates for postponed matches and the printing of names," a statement read.

"Clubs will be fined if they do not adhere to the rules."

With the match level at four rubbers apiece, Deeley and Claydon lost the opening set 6-4 against David Roberts and Marc Gilkes.

But they hit back to win the final two sets 6-1 and give their side a narrow victory.

There was certainly nothing wrong with Abingdon's pairings as they beat North Oxford B 6-3.

Jeremy Wood and Sam Scharf were in fine form at No 1 pair, dropping just seven games in their six sets.

In Ladies' Division 2, Bicester were too strong for Woodstock B, running out 6 -2 winners.

Nicki Bracewell and Kim Buffham claimed two-and-a-half rubbers at top pair, with Vicki Nunn and Katy Roberts also dropping just half a rubber at No 2.

RESULTS

Ladies' Div 2: Bicester 6 , Woodstock B 2 .

Men's Div 1: Abingdon 6, North Oxford B 3; Banbury 4, Cholsey 5. Div 2: Goring 8, Bicester 1. Div 3: Thame B 4, North Oxford D 5; Banbury B 1, Witney B 8. Div 4: North Oxford G 4 , North Oxford F 4 ; Woodstock C 5, Brackley 4; Oxford Sports C 8 , Witney C .