THREE Pigeons boosted their outside chances of Premier Section glory in the Greene King Oxford & District League with a 3-0 win over Six Bells C Kidlington, writes ANDY BEAL.

Chasing a set of 25 in the opener, anchor man Neil Lyon clanged off the five needed to win the leg by the odd doll.

Pigeons took the next 31-28, and although Six Bells set 31 the final leg, Pigeons prevailed thanks to sixes from Kevin Giles and Dave Townsend. Cricketers B moved clear at the top of the Premier Section with a comfortable 3-0 win at home to Ampleforth Arms A.

Kevin Baker led the way with 15 dolls (6-4-5) as they took all three legs 28-18, 29-23, 28-23. Den Sellar chipped in with 13 dolls (3-5-5).

Nick Chapman (4-5-5) and Keith Weller (5-4-5) inspired Gladiators A to maximum points in Section 1 against New Club A. Gladiators were in fine form as they won 30-25, 25-16, 30-23.

In Section 2, it was not unlucky 13 for Black Prince A’s Ian Grant as he hit a baker’s dozen (2-6-5) in their 3-0 defeat of Chequers A. After setting and winning the opening leg 22-17, they took the remaining two 24-18, 24-16. James Bennett bagged a six in his 14-doll haul (6-4-4) for Six Bells A Quarry as they beat Bullnose A 2-1.

King & Queen A stay bottom of Section 3 after their 3-0 loss at Headington Conservative Club A. The club men won 20-18, 28-18, 20-18.

Red Lion B Yarnton remain unbeaten after defeating Chequers C 2-1. They claimed victory in the first two legs 24-18, 25-16. Andy Kay top-scored for Lion with 11 (4-3-4) while Chequers’ Stuart Bennett hit a six in his ten doll haul.

The clash at the top of Section 4 saw leaders Original Swan A defeat Vikings Sports A 2-1. The Swan won the opening leg 21-8, and although Vikings levelled 16-10, Swan took the decider 21-15.

Two points separate the top five in Section 5 and Masons Arms boosted their chances with a 3-0 win over Fairview Inn A.

James Morrison threw a steady 4-4-4 for his dozen dolls as they took all three legs 18-15, 17-15, 17-11. Pheasant Inn won 3-0 against Democrats Club.

Pheasant’s anchor man Chris Lee knocked off the winning dolls in all three legs. Cricketers A stay unbeaten in Section 7 thanks to Gareth Williams who clanged off 13 dolls (3-4-6).

They took maximum points against Prince of Wales with leg scores of 11-9, 15-13, 20-12.

Ampleforth B stay joint top despite crashing to Brill Sports Club A.

They won the opening leg 20-14, but then lost the next two 17-13, 18-16. Neil Jackson was top dog with 11 dolls (5-3-3).

Only one doll separated Catherine Wheel and Marston British Legion in all three legs, but it was the Catherine Wheel who claimed all of them, 15-14, 13-12, 14-13, with anchor man Dave Simmonds knocking off the winner in each leg.

In Section 9, after 20 years of trying to get his name in the paper, Original Swan’s Charlie Proudfoot managed it this week but for the wrong reason.

Hoping for a six, he failed to trouble the doll and ended up in the blobbers’ section. It did not affect the team’s performance though as they came away from George ‘B’ with all three points 11-9, 11-6 and 14-13.