Champions Woodstock were held to a 4-4 draw by Oxford City in their opening Division 1 match in the Wilson Inter-Club 3-Pair Mixed League.

Despite taking a narrow one rubber lead into the final round of matches, City's second and third pairs battled to victories to force a draw.

Victory for Manoj Gujral and Liz Gilkes ensured the defending champions would not be beaten, but wins for Rob Cuff and Karen Last at second pair, as well as Duncan Todd and Joe Love at No 3 gave City a share of the spoils.

Newly-promoted Woodstock B will need to pull out all the stops in they are not to suffer an immediate return to Division 1 after a 7-1 defeat at Oxford City B in their opening match.

Woodstock were outclassed by their opponents, with City's top two pairs of Adrian Roberts and Joan Smith, and Barbara Gibbins and Ian Horner all recording clean sweeps.

In the 2-Pair League, Benson were in top form as they whitewashed Oxford Sports A 4-0 in Mixed Division 1.

Simon and Mandy Claridge dropped just one game all afternoon as the home side cruised to victory.

RESULTS

3-PAIR

Mixed Div 1: Woodstock 4, Oxford City 4; Oxford City B 7, Woodstock B 1.

Mixed Div 2: Thame 8, North Oxford C 1; Banbury 7, Witney B 2; North Oxford B 3, Bicester 6. Div 3: Bicester B 6, Abingdon B 3; Banbury B 3, Oxford City C 6; North Oxford D 7, Thame B 1.

2-PAIR

Men Div 3: Benson B 4, Wheatley B 0.

Mixed Div 1: Wantage 1, Cholsey 3; Benson 4, Oxford Sports 0; Oxford Sports B 2, Abingdon 2; Portcullis 4, Mapledurham 0. Div 2: Kingston Bagpuize 0, Hook Norton 4; Benson C 2, Cholsey B 1; Wantage B 3, Faringdon . Div 3: Watlington 2, Goring 2; Colston 3, Brackley . Div 4: Wheatley 2, Banbury West End 2; David Lloyd Leisure 1, Kings Sutton 3; Abingdon D 3, Witney 1. Div 5: Warborough 3, Hanney 1; Mapledurham B 2, Wantage C 2; Banbury B 4, Southfield B 0.