Frilford Heath made a successful start to the defence of their Shaw & Co Oxfordshire Foursomes League title with a hard-earned 2-1 victory at Studley Wood.

The reigning Section 1 champions clinched victory when their third pair of Ashley Walton and promising junior Sam Bourgein beat Simon Bulman and Neil Pett- it 3 & 2.

Frilford's other win came from Ben Miles and John Cronly, who edged in 2 & 1 against Steve Jenkins and Nick Adby.

Studley had opened up with a victory in the top match as Joe Fathers and Nigel Lawton cruised home 4 & 3 against Alex Gavrilovic and Tom Fleming.

SHAW & CO OXFORDSHIRE

FOURSOMES LEAGUE

Section 1

Studley Wood 1 (1pt), Frilford Heath 2 (3) (Studley Wood first): J Fathers & N Lawton bt A Gavrilovic & T Fleming 4 & 3; S Jenkins & N Adby lost to B Miles & J Cronly 2 & 1; S Bulman & N Pettit lost to A Walton & S Bourgein.

SATURDAY'S FIXTURES

Section 1: Hadden Hill v Frilford Heath, Studley Wood v The Oxfordshire, Ellesborough v Burford.

Section 2: Bicester v Oxford City, North Oxford v Tadmarton.

Section 3: Buckingham v Rye Hill (at Rye Hill), Magnolia Park v Mentmore.

Section 4: Waterstock v Drayton Park, The Wychwood v Witney Lakes.