BICESTER B lifted the Oxford & District Association’s Aubrey Hughes Handicap Shield after beating Begbroke A by 29 points in an absorbing final at The Gladiators.

After the first seven singles, the final could have gone either way thanks to a brilliant display from Begbroke’s Dawn Pearce.

Her close-up domination of the table and vicious attacking shots must have unnerved Bicester, who were receiving an 80-point start.

For Bicester, Pete Hargreaves, Andy Crofts and Steve Laird contained Pearce as far as possible and managed to protect their lead successfully against Janet Brown and Ian Gordon.

Result: Bicester B (+80) 406, Begbroke A 377.