Forum A, last year's Oxford & District Handicap Shield winners, successfully negotiated a tough first-round match against Division 4 side Lord Nuffield D.

With a 230-points start, John Joyce, Malcolm Burr and Paul Howard put up a good show for Lord Nuffield, losing only 21-17 to Greg Boone and Fraser Harris, but Karl Bushell was always on hand to turn the tide back to favour Forum.

Bushell's average overall was equivalent to a 21-5, 21-4 win, and this proved decisive as Forum wrapped up victory by 17 points.

Forum B again fell at the first hurdle.

Harry Yeates, and Andrew and Jeremy Flint, found the 150-points start awarded to their clubmates Forum C too much of a problem once Lewis Hooper and Chris Williams got into their stride.

St James B also fell at the first hurdle. Last year they were runners-up to Forum A in one of the closest finals ever, but they were never in it against Haddenham B.

Haddenham had 80 points start and this was ample, as they eventually won by 70 points.

Bicester C had the narrowest victory, beating Forum G by just seven points.

In a very close match, Dave Bignall just made the difference for Bicester, allowing them to pull back the 70-point start that was awarded to Forum and just edge in front at the death.

RESULTS

1st Round: Forum B 410, Forum C (+150) 447; Gladiators 420, Forum H (+180) 375; Bicester B (+110) 414, Begbroke A 399; Haddenham A 414, Vikings C (+140) 423; Lord Nuffield E (+130) 466, Forum E 395; Bicester C 398, Forum G (+70) 391; Vikings D (+20) 377, Forum D 389; St James B 323, Haddenham B (+80) 393; Lord Nuffield C 414, Holton (+150) 402; Lord Nuffield D (+230) 403, Forum A 420; Vikings B beat Witney B (+150) (w/o).