Banbury West End are relegated from Men's Division 1 of the 3-Pair Wilson Inter-Club League after a 5-4 defeat at the hands of nearest rivals Abingdon.

Abingdon went into the match knowing defeat would mean that relegation loomed large. But a sparkling performance from Peter Druett and Alex Wingent, who were unbeaten at first pair, means that it is West End who are condemned to Division 2 tennis next year.

However, while the men's team were avoiding the drop, in Mixed Division 1, Abingdon's slim chances of staying in the top flight ended with a 5.5-3.5 defeat against Woodstock.

Chris Rolfe and Liz Gilkes did the damage for Woodstock, winning all three of their matches at first pair.

In Division 2, everything is to play for in the final match of the season with the top two, Witney and Woodstock B still level in every respect.

When the teams met in the penultimate game, Witney won two out of the last three rubbers to claim a 4.5-4.5 draw.

Surprisingly, Woodstock's third pairing of Shirley Morgan and David Gosnell were unbeaten all afternoon, while their first pair of Mary Smith and Paul Casey collected just a half.

Both sides have 11 points and 40 rubbers to their name, and so the team which wins by the biggest margin in their final match will claim the title.

In Mixed Division 1 of the 2-Pair League, Cholsey maintained their 100 per cent record with a 4-0 whitewash over Abingdon.

In Division 2, Benson B staked their claim for promotion with a 2.5-1.5 victory over Banbury West End.

Wantage beat Faringdon 2.5-1.5 in Ladies Division 1, with Jackie Ellis and Dee Jones winning 1.5 rubbers.

RESULTS

3-PAIR LEAGUE

Ladies Div 3: Woodstock C 4, Oxford Sports C 5.

Men's Div 1: Banbury West End 4, Abingdon 5.

Mixed Div 1: Abingdon 3.5, Woodstock 5.5; Banbury 2.5, North Oxford 6.5; Oxford City 8.5, Oxford City B .5. Div 2: Norham Gardens 7, Abingdon B 2; Thame 7, Bicester B 2; Witney 4.5, Woodstock B 4.5. Div 3: Oxford City C 2.5, North Oxford C 6.5; Bicester C 2.5, Banbury B 6.5. Div 4: North Oxford D 8, Banbury C 1; Banbury D 4, Bicester D 5; Southfield 6.5, Thame 2.5.

2-PAIR LEAGUE

Ladies Div 1: Wantage A 2.5, Faringdon 1.5.

Mixed Div 1: Benson 2, Kingston Bagpuize 2; Cholsey 4, Abingdon 0; Watlington 0, Wheatley 4. Div 2: Colston 3.5, Mapledurham .5; Benson B 2.5, Banbury West End 1.5; Cholsey B 2, Oxford Sports C 2. Div 3: Benson C 4, Mapledurham B 0; Wheatley B 2, Faringdon 2.