JAMES Morrison was in sensational form as he clanged off 15 dolls (5-5-5) for The New Club and was well supported by teammate Simon Jones who hit a baker’s dozen (4-5-4, writes Andy Beal.
However, it was all in vain as The Swan ran out 2-1 winners. It started off well for The New Club, when they won the opening leg 24-21, but the Swan turned it around in the next two legs, winning them both 27-24, 25-23.
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Early Premier section pacesetters The Gladiators lost their first game of the season, at The White House, 2-1 in a high-scoring game. White House set the opening leg with 27, and in reply, The Gladiators just fell short by two dolls with 25.
Gladiators pulled level in the next leg when they banged in a set of 32, which The White House could only reply with 23. In the final and deciding leg, Gladiators set again, this time with 27.
A mixed reply from The White House left anchorman Mick Phipps only needing three to win, however he had to rely on his last stick to clinch the winning doll, and with it the leg and game with 28. Captain Martin Cook was top dog for The Gladiators with 14 dolls (4-6-4).
With the #oufc retained list now announced, attention will inevitably turn to where the club needs to focus in the transfer window. Some early thoughts on the summer ahead herehttps://t.co/xNMMkIV5MR
— Liam Rice (@OxMailLiamRice) May 23, 2024
In Section Two, Josh Breakspear clanged of 14 dolls (3-5-6) and bagged himself a maximum six for The Catherine Wheel ‘C’ in their 2-1 win at The Ampleforth Arms ‘A’. They raced into a 2-0 lead, winning both legs 16-15, 21-18, before Ampleforth won the final leg 26-15.
Duke of Monmouth tasted victory for the first time this season when they beat hosts Seacourt Bridge 2-1. The opening leg was tied 16-16 with Seacourt winning it on three sticks 10-6. The Duke levelled in the second leg 16-13 and then stormed the final leg, setting and winning it 24-14.
Masons Arms ‘A’ had a comfortable 3-0 win at home to Viking Sports, who are still seeking their first win, 18-10, 17-13, 16-11.
Section Three leaders Cowley Workers lost their first game of the season when they lost 2-1 at local rivals The Cricketers Arms, who remain unbeaten. Cricketers batted away Cowley Workers in the first two legs 10-9, 15-11, before the Workers grabbed a point in the final leg 13-12.
Steve Horwood of New Club ‘B’ was in superb form, clanging off 14 dolls (5-4-5) to guide them to a comfortable 3-0 win at Headington Conservative club, 14-12, 18-13, 16-12.
Steve Horwood of New Club ‘B’ (Image: Andy Beal)
SIXERS: J Breakspear (Catherine Wheel ‘C’), M Cook (Gladiators).
BLOBBERS: J Nelms (New Club ‘B’), R Aston (Red Lion Cassington), S Ings (Ampleforth ‘B’).
TOP DOLL SCORERS: 15: J. Morrison (New Club ‘A’); 14: M Cook (Gladiators), R Grant (North Leigh FC), S Horwood (New Club ‘B’), J Breakspear (Catherine Wheel ‘C’); 13: S Jones (New Club ‘A’).
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