Shiplake star Barry Lambourne captured Oxfordshire’s Champion of Champions title with a 21-17 win over holder Mark Sykes in the final at Oxford City & County.

With the pair locked together at 11-11 after 15 ends of the 24-end decider, Lambourne unleashed a nine-shot salvo over the next six ends against his Banbury Central opponent’s two to move within one shot of the crown.

Sykes kept his hopes alive with a brace of twos, before Lambourne picked up the shot needed to claim the trophy.

In the semi-finals, Lambourne battled to a 21-15 win against Chipping Norton's Andrew Martin, who returned to the bowls scene last year after a break from the game.

Martin trailed 15-14 after 16 ends, but then Lambourne took three of the next four ends to clinch victory.

Sykes, meanwhile, eased away from Blackbird Leys' Richard Brain with 11 shots over four ends for a 21-9 win.

Twenty-four clubs’ champions battled it out and Lambourne reached the last four with victories against Burford Town’s Maurice Evans and last year’s runner-up Peter Madeley, of Chadlington.

Sykes’s route to the semi-finals saw him record wins against Bloxham's Tony Gardner, Kidlington's Chris Weller and Oxfordshire Under 25s captain Chris Miles, from Witney Mills.