There was heartbreak once again for Morris Motors, who lost out on promotion from Division 4 of the Kennington Bowls Specialists Oxford & District League for the second year running by the narrowest of margins.

One more shot against Florence Park would have seen them finish in the top two, but instead left OUP to seal promotion back to Division 3.

Witney Town recovered from the disappointment of last year by going up as champions, after seeing off a much-improved Chadlington side.

In Division 3, Cotswold took the title after their 5-1 win at relegated Charlbury, and Kidlington captured second slot to claim promotion for the second season running.

In a thrilling climax to the Division 2 season, Banbury Chestnuts finally saw their dream of promotion for a third consecutive year snatched from their grasp. South Oxford grabbed the four points they needed to claim second place and return back to the top flight with City & County.

City & County took the title on shot difference, with the two points they needed at home to Headington.

In the top flight, Summertown finished their season with a 4-2 win at Thame to secure the runners-up position, while champions Carterton finished in style by becoming the only league club to break 50 points for the season.

RESULTS

Division 1

West Witney 86 (4), Banbury Central 78 (2): G Coggon 28, P Norton 13; G Gray 24, K McNeil 15; M Smith 15, L Campion 24; D Berry 19, J Tee 26.

Thame 72 (2), Summertown 85 (4): G Lazuruk 11, M Charlett 29; M Hester 18, C Allen 17; R Hesketh 23, P Mabbutt 16; J Green 20, R Hewson 23.

Carterton 77 (5), Bicester 69 (1): P Justin 21, K Taylor 18; S Richens 20, K Davies 8; J Purseclove 15, A Hall 29; D Wise 21, T Lewis 14.

Division 2

City & County 72 (2), Headington 74 (4): L Lacey 19, R Pyneger 13; P Futter 19, B Foster 17; M Philpott 12, J Floyd 20; B Slatter 22, C Harris 24.

West Oxford 77 (3), Woodstock 83 (3): F Buck 19, M Morgan 18; M Alderson 22, B Clarke 18; P Moffatt 22, M Baylis 20; E Fry 14, R Collett 27.

South Oxford 82 (4), Blackbird Leys 70 (2): N Woodward 24, M Gleeson 23; G Young 26, H Payne 7; G Joiner 15, R Brain 18; K Clarke 17, M Major 22.

Division 3

Charlbury 72 (1), Cotswold 82 (5): R Thornton 17, M East 21; B Tomlins 11, K Brown 30; J Stevens 27, J Winterbourne 10; K Fawdrey 17, G Powell 21.

Kidlington 72 (4), Bloxham 69 (2): A Ryder 23, T Garner 13; D Snell 16, A Nicholls 21; J Denton 15, D Morse 19; P Fitzgerald 18, A Jones 16.

Chipping Norton 95 (5), East Oxford 66 (1): K Field 21, R Mortimer 15; A Martin 30, G Kerr 11; S Jones 19, L Vaughan 24; P Pauling 25, L Eltringham 16.

Division 4

Hanborough 84 (5), Begbroke 61 (1): C Oliver 17, T Lee 14; I Stallwood 11, E Woodmore 14; J Edwards 34, G Phillips 16; G Busby 22, D Smith 17.

Witney Town 84 (4), Chadlington 72 (2): V Comley 26, A Bishop 15; C Sparrowhawk 20, C Smart 13; B Buckingham 19, C Griffith 22; M King 19, R Arthur 22.

Florence Park 85 (3.5), Morris Motors 84 (2.5): A Thomas 24, P Gibson 24; I Gray 18, T Ward 20; J Simmons 27, B Adams 15; B Thomas 16, G Hollis 25.