THE top two teams in the Premier Section both suffered unexpected losses, giving the chasing pack an opening, writes Andy Beal.

Leaders White House fell to a 2-1 defeat at Yarnton British Legion, and it could easily have been a whitewash.

White House set a challenging 28 in the opening leg and a steady reply from Legion left anchorman Dave Trim needing four to win, and he was up to the task whipping off the winning doll with his last stick.

White House set 23 in the next leg, and it was never going to be enough as Legion flew past that with 27. White House set again in the final leg with 29, which Legion matched, however the leaders won the three-sticker to snatch a point at the death. Phil Austin was in top form for the leaders with 14 dolls (5-3-6).

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Second-placed Gladiators could not take advantage as they fell to a 2-1 home defeat to Catherine Wheel ‘A’ who hit their best score of the season.

It started off well for Gladiators when they set and won the opening leg 28-23. Catherine Wheel upped their game immensely, winning the next two legs 29-20, 30-24.

Scott Thompson was top dog for Gladiators, with 13 dolls (5-4-4) while Willy Waite for The Wheel threw well for his dozen dolls (3-5-4).

The Swan have closed the gap to three points after their third win on the bounce, this time at home to Garsington Sports. They had to rely on a three-stick shoot-out in the opening leg after it was tied 23-23, but then easily won the next two legs 22-16, 25-14.

North Leigh FC ended a four-game losing streak when they beat Black Horse ‘A’ at home 3-0. Hitting their best scores all season, they won all three legs 28-19, 23-15, 30-17.

Jeff Glenister for North Leigh was in sensational form, hitting two sixes in his 15-doll haul (6-3-6) with teammate Neil Pratley hitting a dozen dolls in an unusual way (5-1-6). Steve Ward for the Horse bagged himself a six in his 14 dolls (6-3-5).

Jeff Glenister for North LeighJeff Glenister for North Leigh (Image: Andy Beal)

Simon Jones clanged off 15 dolls (6-4-5) for The New Club at home to Littlemore British Legion, however it was all in vain as they lost 2-1. Legion raced into a 2-0 lead winning both legs 23-20, 29-22 but couldn’t complete the maximum win when New Club won the final leg 25-24.

SIXERS: J Glenister (2), N Pratley (North Leigh FC), E Hanlon (Cowley Workers), S Ward (Black Horse A), S Jones (New Club), P Austin (White House), M Hewitson (The Swan).

BLOBBERS: W Cox (Northway ‘B’), C Santoliquido (White Hart), J Brown (The George), C Bower (Red Lion Yarnton), S Ings (Ampleforth ‘B’).

TOP DOLL SCORERS: 15: J Glenister (North Leigh FC), S Jones (New Club); 14: D Mingham (Cricketers), S Ward (Black Horse A), P Austin (White House); 13: S Thompson (Gladiators), D Green (Ampleforth ‘A’).