Holder Alan Oliver was sent crashing out of the Oxford & District League’s men’s individual competition at the first hurdle as he was beaten 2-0 by Mark Trafford at the Gladiators Club, writes PETE EWINS.

Trafford scored 11,210 (break 8,300) in the first leg and won the second 12,110.

Elsewhere, Sean Stratford beat Ian Gordon 2-0, while Alan Lacey went through on aggregate against Phil Clark.

In the first leg, Lacey won 9,330-1,020, including a break of 6,730.

Clark took the second leg 5,790, 2,140 (break 4,940), but it was not enough.

In the first round, Mike Jones knocked Kevin Godfrey out 2-0, with scores of 12,600 and 7,020.

In the pairs competition, the Maces, Geoff and Craig, beat Bob Parsons and Billy Hill 3-1 at the Shelley.

  • OXFORDSHIRE A were crowned National Group 1 county champions after a super show at Reading.

Oxon beat Hampshire 7-0, then followed this up with a 4-3 win over Berkshire and a 7-0 victory against Sussex B.

Oxon then took three points from Sussex A in their final match to take the title.

Final positions: 1 Oxon A 21pts, 2 Berks 19, 3 Sussex 17, 4 Hants 5, 5 Sussex B 5.

Oxon B were third in Group 2.

  • OXFORD A trail 3-2 from their home leg as they travel to Witney in the second leg of the Inter Area Cup semi-final on Sunday.

The C side competition saw Oxford C beat Wallingford D 6-4 on aggregate.

Oxford won 4-1 at Wallingford, and although losing 3-2 on home soil, Oxford had already done enough for overall victory.