The City Clubs regained the Oxfordshire Bowling Association's Bradshaw Cup with a 134-95 victory over the Country Clubs in their annual clash.

Following last year's thrilling tie – which saw the Country Clubs retain the cup as the holders – the City Clubs were even more determined than usual to triumph at Kidlington, the OBA president John O'Shea's club.

And under Gordon Roper's leadership, they proved too strong for their country cousins, winning on five of the six rinks.

The battle for the highest-winning City Clubs' rink was in doubt until the very end with the sides of Howard Watts and Mark Charlett both winning by 14 shots.

However, with wins on 15 ends, Howard’s rink proved the victors.

Bob Gilkes, playing with Baden Sparkes, Sam Muir and Andy Wise, provided the only winning rink for the Country Clubs.

City Clubs 134, Country Clubs 95 (City rinks first)

Rink 1: O Sharif, T Gripe, I Beckett, I Henwood 21; AJ Docherty, A Hunt, I Whelpton, B Lambourne 16.

Rink 2: M Nash, M Collison, P Boffin, M Charlett 27; G Schwab, M Pitman, A Hall, M Timms 13.

Rink 3: D Wedge, L Eltringham, R Hewson, A Ley 23; G Hooker, P Cross, M Andrew, R Buckett 13.

Rink 4: S Gibson, B Allin, H Winstone, M Gleeson 19; P McGrath, G Coggan, K Alder, C Whitehead 15.

Rink 5: S Claridge, J Henwood, N Lewis, H Watts 26; J Feeley, T Backer-Holst, L Lewis, A Prew 12.

Rink 6: P Beckett, M Ford, G May, M Petersen 18; S Muir, A Wise, B Gilkes, B Sparkes 26.

SENIOR deputy president Ian Whelpton stepped up to lead Oxfordshire in their latest friendly against Buckinghamshire at Princes Risborough following an injury to president John O'Shea – and did so in style with a 125-100 victory.

Whelpton's rink led the way with a 32-19 win as Oxon triumphed on four of the six rinks.

Oxfordshire also beat Berkshire 118-96 at Thame.

The hosts won on three of the six rinks and drew on two of the other three, suffering one defeat.

Oxon's last friendly of the season against Worcestershire at Bicester was cancelled due to the green being flooded.

RESULTS

Buckinghamshire 100, Oxfordshire 125 (Oxon scores): J Timms, P Cross, D Wedge & I Whelpton won 32-13; P Brittin, M Cameron, H Winstone & M Andrew won 22-13; D Lines, J McGeough, G Weedon & H Payne won 19-17; G Hooker, D Piper, A Ley & R Bull won 17-16; J Chamberlain, T Backer-Holst, B Buckingham & L Lewis lost 22-20; J Wylie, L Eltringham, A Hunt & H Franklin lost 19-15.

Oxfordshire 118, Berkshire 96 (Oxon scores): B Slatter, T Backer-Holst, C Weller & J Lucas won 27-12; D Wotherspoon, P Cross, A Hunt & M Ford won 20-15; B Bloomfield, A Braden, J McGeough & I Whelpton won 17-14; E Fry, J Timms, H Winstone & A Ley drew 16-16; S Tolhurst, B Allin, D Snell & D Bullock drew 20-20; D St John, K Clayton, G Penn & M Petersen lost 19-18.