YARNTON Nurseries Garden Centre have agreed a new three-deal to sponsor the Oxford & District Bowls League.

Owned by Nigel and Richard Wallbridge, Yarnton Nurseries were keen to continue their support after first becoming sponsors back in 2006.

Richard, a member of Kidlington Bowls Club, was delighted to sign the deal.

“The league is an important fixture on the bowls calendar and we are very pleased to be continuing with our support,” he said.

The new season kicks off tonight, with defending champions Banbury Central A starting the defence of their title with a tough game at last year’s runners-up Headington A.

Both sides came a cropper in the League Cup first round when they came up against the A & B sides from Oxford City and County.

City and County’s A side knocked out last year’s winners Headington A by just one shot, after Alan Ley held his nerve in the final match.

Division 2 outfit City & County B made it a double celebration, travelling to three-time winners Banbury Central A and pulling off a terrific victory by three shots.

The two sides now meet each other in the semi-final after then beating Shiplake and Charlbury respectively in the next round.

The other clash sees Carterton face Kidlington after both recorded narrow wins against Chipping Norton and Headington B.

Both will be played at South Oxford on August 27.

RESULTS 1st round: Rover 59, Carterton 85; Chip Norton 84, Witney Mills 54; Watlington 59, Headington B 67; Kidlington 82, Cotswold 59; Woodstock 47, Shiplake 78; City & County A 62, Headington A 61; Banbury Central A 69, City & County B 72; Charlbury 73, South Oxford 62.

2nd round: Carterton 79, Chip Norton 73; Headington B 71, Kidlington 75; Shiplake 61, City & County A 78; City & County B 77, Charlbury 59.