KENNINGTON Club will represent Oxfordshire at the National Team Championships in Reading this weekend, writes PETE EWINS.

They won the county final with a 4-1 win against Vikings Club at the Lamb & Flag.

Kevin Godfrey (9,420) took the first, but Vikings levelled through Allan Lacey.

Mark Trafford (12,200, break 10,520), Pauline Withey (3,820) and Steven Sheard (11,760, break 7,910) took the next three games for Kennington to book a place in Sunday’s event.

Kennington, who are the Premier Section title holders in the Johnsons Buildbase Oxford League, kick-started their defence with a 3-2 win at Didcot Con Club.

Dave Tooke (8,000) beat Sheard, before Stuart Florey made it 2-0 to the home side. Trafford (12,600, break 6,700) started the comeback, followed by wins for Withey (4,550, break 4,400) and Ian Gordon (5,080).

Vikings began their campaign with a 3-2 home defeat against West Oxford Democrats Club.

Each game went with the breaks, Alan Oliver (6,970) and Ian Moss (9,260) for Vikings, and John Patey (3,060), Eddie Tebby (6,380) and Terry Green (4,090) for the visitors.

Section 1 side Masons A won 3-2 at home against Headington Conservative Club, of Section 2.

Dave Rose (3,110) and Mick Murphy (5,050) put the hosts in front.

Keith Hollis defeated Alan Lowe 4,280-410 and Dave Gordon levelled at 2-2 after beating Martyn Wood.

Maxi McDonnell (8,170) won the match for Masons in the final game against Tim Jeffreys.

Gladiators Club A won 4-1 away at Marlborough Club thanks to Keith Gardner, Bob Pincombe, Dave Jarman and Bert Lovegrove.

TONIGHT’S MATCHES

Kennington v Vikings, Masons B v Marlborough, Gladiators Club A v Didcot CC, Democrats v Gladiators Club B, Berinsfield v Masons A. Bye: Headington Conservative Club.

RESULTS

Vikings 2, Democrats 3; Didcot CC 2, Kennington 3; Marlborough 1, Gladiators Club A 4; Gladiators Club B 2, Berinsfield 3; Masons A 3, Headington Conservative Club 2.