DEFENDING champions Railway Social Club A started the new Greene King ODDA Premier Section season in style with an 8-1 home win against main rivals Cowley Community Centre A.

The home side raced into a 6-0 lead, winning all the singles.

And Community Centre gained their only success when Jim Jukes and Percy Brain beat Phil Addison and Steve Foster, as Railway ran out convincing 8-1 winners.

Section 1's Shelley Arms C were involved in a thrilling contest away to Premier side Shears.

Ray Pape and Lyndon Richards gave Shelley a 2-0 lead, but Shears hit back to lead 3-2 thanks to Kevin Wilkins, Jim Pryde (180) and Dave Exell (180).

The visitors levelled at 3-3 when Jamie Byles beat Mick Curran 3-0. But Shears came out on top when a 2-1 pairs win gave them 5-4 success.

In another close match, hosts Nuffield Arms B beat Section 2 rivals Quarry Gate C 5-4.

Quarry led 2-0 before Martin Brain pulled one game back, the Quarrymen making it 3-1 when Gary Roberts beat Keith Raw. But Nuffield levelled through Bob Boyce and Andy Douglas, and went on to clinch the match 5-4.

Newly-promoted Shelley Arms A faced up to the relegated Three Horseshoes B in Section 3 and took the opener when Simon Powell (180) beat Les Bond.

Shoes responded to lead 2-1 through Alan Jarvey and John Smith.

Shelley squared the match when Des Brackett beat Nick Baldwin, but Shoes nosed ahead 4-2 thanks to victories from Winter Pairs finalists Paul Bustin and Fred Parsons.

Shelley narrowed the gap to 5-4 after winning the pairs 2-1.

THE 79th Winter League finals night takes place at Rover Social Club, Romanway, on Friday. Tickets at £2 each are available from the Three Horseshoes in Old Marston.