Kennington Club took a great step towards the semi-finals of the Johnsons Buildbase Oxford League’s Team Knockout Cup with a 4-1 first-leg win at home.

Pauline Withey beat Allan Lacey 4,010-2,380 and there were also victories for Mark Trafford (13,960), Steven Sheard (13,650) and Ian Gordon (8,260) as the hosts took the first four legs.

Alan Oliver then beat Brian Rose 4,160-1,230 in the last game to give Vikings a glimmer of hope for the return leg.

Masons are favourites for a semi-final spot in Group B after whitewashing Gladiators Club B 5-0 at home.

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Alan Lowe (5,500),Martyn Wood (3,390) and Dave Rose (3,220) won the opening three games.

Mick Murphy then just scraped home by 320 points against Reg Johnson, and Maxi McDonnell completed the rout with a 3,480-1,990 win over Mark Johnson.

TONIGHT’S MATCHES

Marlborough v Vikings, Masons v Kennington, Gladiators A v Headington CC, Didcot CC v Democrats, Berinsfield v Gladiators B.

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