Defending champions Banbury Central have become the fifth side to lead Division 1 of the Oxford & District Bowls League, sponsored by Frances Baker, this season following their emphatic 6-0 victory over West Witney.

It puts them in pole position at the halfway stage, having claimed 17 out of a possible 18 points in their last three matches.

In Division 2, Kidlington hold on to top spot with a draw at bottom side Banbury Chestnuts, while Headington remain in second place after narrowly defeating South Oxford by two shots.

Form side Blackbird Leys jumped up to third slot after three straight wins.

In Division 3's top game, Chadlington bounced back from last week's defeat to beat Cotswold 4-2.

Cotswold lost the last remaining unbeaten record in the league, but remain top.

Morris Motors recorded a good win over Division 4 leaders Chipping Norton, while new-boys City & County B closed the gap on second place after their 6-0 success at Begbroke. Division 1

Summertown 75 (4), Thame 73 (2): A Ley 16, G Lazaruk 17; R Hewson 24, R Roylance 18; C Whitehead 15, J Green 21; I Henwood 20, R Slater 17.

Banbury Central 101 (6), West Witney 56 (0): P Norton 33, H Williams 12; J Tee 25, M Hitchcox 13; M Andrew 17, P Maisey 16; M Sykes 26, F Roberts 15.

Bicester 76 (2) Carterton 86 (4): M Workman 17, S Richens 27; D Allen 14, D Abbott 27; A Hall 21, B Sparks 16; P Hooley 24, R Clanfield 16.

Division 2

Headington 67 (3 ), South Oxford 65 (2 ): B Foster 24, B Standen 7; C Harris 14, G Young 19; T Murphy 15, P Simpson 25; R Pyniger 14, M Keen 14.

Blackbird Leys 82 (6), Rover 56 (0): H Payne 19, P Comley 15; G Roper 19, C Earl 10; A Jackman 20, K Hall 12; R Brain 24, R Comley 19.

Banbury Chestnuts 77 (3) Kidlington 74 (3): B Ray 28, F Savlant 14; A Northcote 16, C Weller 21; D Bryant 17, G Watts 22; D J Munslow 16, P Fitzgerald 17.

Division 3

Chadlington 88 (4), Cotswold 67 (2): P Radbone 14, N Pearman 22; P Heath 29, M East 13; R Arthur 27, G Powell 12; C Smart 18, M Brain 20.

Charlbury 85 (4), Witney Town 82 (2): C Pearce 15, C Sparrowhawk 30; J Stevens 23, B Buckingham 14; D Dix 27, A Rowe 16; R Thornthon 20, V Comley 22.

Woodstock 69 (2), Hanborough 82 (4): G Owen 12, B Lynch 29; W Major 23, G Busby 16; R Collett 13, G Oliver 27; G Brown 21, J Edwards 10.

Division 4

Morris Motors 81 (4), Chipping Norton 63 (2): B Tucker 32, P Pauling 10; R Adams 16, K Field 25; D Bunce 19, J Quinn 13; G Hollis 14, D Barnes 15.

Begbroke 65 (0), City & County B 93 (6): E Woodmore 20, L Eltringham 22; J Everett 17, G Kerr 25: D Nash 14, K Croxon 25; P Illott 14, M Gardener 21.

OUP 88 (5), Florence Park 69 (1): G Cooper 21, R Benwell 16; N Lewis 31, T Patterson 6; K Witchard 9, A Thomas 34; J Butler 27, J Simmons 13.