Carterton stopped reigning champions Banbury Central in their tracks with an exciting 4-2 win in Division 1 of the Oxford and District League, sponsored by Yarnton Nurseries.

Central had won their opening two matches in great style, but they had to give second best to the west Oxfordshire club. Skips Gordon Walker and Dave Clanfield, with 14 and 12-shot victories respectively, secured a 79-78 success for Carterton.

Headington moved up into second place with a comprehensive 6-0 turnover of West Witney.

Shiplake, looking to bounce back after their mauling by Banbury Central last week, went down 41/2-11/2 at home to Bicester.

Barry Lambourne was Shiplake’s only home winning skip, while Jason King and Kevin Taylor posted victories for the visitors.

Division 2 saw another win for early pacesetters South Oxford, who triumphed 4-2 at neighbours Oxford City & County B.

Skips Mick Keen and John Hall had important wins for South, who edged home 75-71 on shots.

Gary Lazaruk and veteran campaigner Ron Slater both scored well in Thame’s 4-2 win against Cotswold.

In the other game, Woodstock chalked up their first points of the season with a 4-2 victory over Banbury Chestnuts.

Witney Mills whitewashed promoted Charlbury 6-0 to open up a five-point lead at the top of Division 3.

Watlington slumped to a 5-1 home defeat against in-form Rover.

Alan Peters leading the way with a 15- shot win for the Cowley team.

A 17-shot win for Andy Martin helped Chipping Norton to a 41/2-11/2 victory over Bloxham.

Banbury Central B beat Kidlington 5-1 at home.

West Oxford were knocked off the top of Division 4 with a 51/2-1/2 defeat by Florence Park.

Mick Ford starred for Florence Park with a 30-9 win.

Headington B are now top on shot difference following a 3-3 draw at Witney Town, while Hanborough beat Chadlington 4-2.

RESULTS Division 1 Carterton 79 (4pts), Banbury Central A 78 (2) (Carterton skips first): D Clanfield 23, L Campion 11; R Clanfield 10, M Sykes 27; G Walker 25, P Norton 11; P Sharman 21, J Tee 29.

Headington A 87 (6), West Witney 53 (0) (Headington skips first): M Charlett 23, T Prew 14; N Rae-Welsh 21, M Hitchcox 15; P Mabbutt 22, H Williams 13; C Nicoll 21, K Alder 11.

Shiplake 74 (11/2), Bicester 83 (41/2) (Shiplake skips first): T Beaumont 19, M Workman 19; B Evans 22, K Taylor 24; B Lambourne 17, A Hall 13; J Bland 16, J King 27.

Division 2 Oxford City & County B 71 (2), South Oxford 75 (4) (City & County skips first): N Satchell 14, M Keen 22; G Kerr 22, I Beckett 13; O Sharif 18, L Buckett 17; B Slatter 17, J Hall 23.

Thame 83 (4), Cotswold 73 (2) (Thame skips first): L Canfield 11, M East 28; R Slater 27, A Rowe 11; G Lazaruk 31, S Cooper 10; A Jeffrey 14, T Cox 24.

Woodstock 81 (4), Banbury Chestnuts 76 (2) (Woodstock skips first): R Collett 30, B Neal 19; A Tozer 14, D Bryant 29; W Major 13, D Munslow 17; G Owen 24, A Northcote 11.

Division 3 Banbury Central B 89 (5), Kidlington 67 (1) (Banbury Central skips first): T Mold 18, J Hardie 21; R Cox 21, P McGrath 18; B Collins 28, D Snell 15; R Havard 22, G Watts 13.

Chipping Norton 81 (41/2), Bloxham 62 (11/2) (Chipping Norton skips first): A Martin 26, J Lucas 9; D Barnes 24, A Round 17; J Benfield 16, J Crawley 21; P Rathbone 15, J Hay 15.

Watlington 69 (1), Rover 87 (5) (Watlington skips first): R Gilkes 13, K Hall 22; C Evans 21, M Bracewell 18; H Franklin 13, P Barker 20; S Gilkes 12, A Peters 27.

Witney Mills 99 (6), Charlbury 55 (0) (Witney Mills skips first): J Mott 18, J Stevens 13; L Days 31, B Busk 19; A Auger 24, C R Skidmore 10; R Barnett 26, C I Skidmore 13.

Division 4 Florence Park 96 (51/2), West Oxford 61 (1/2) (Florence Park skips first): S Green 20, B Stone 20; J Simmonds 21, G Cooper 19; M Ford 30, M Alderson 9; I Gray 25, P Moffat 13.

Hanborough 86 (4), Chadlington 60 (2) (Hanborough skips first): G Thompson 12, Carl Smart 17; C Oliver 20, R Arthur 23; G Busby 29, A Hobbs 9; M Oliver 25, P Radbone 11.

Witney Town 73 (3), Headington B 73 (3) (Witney Town skips first): F Dawson 19, R Edwards 23; M Jones 20, T Murphy 16; B Buckingham 18, C Harris 18; V Comley 16, M Kershaw 16.