Witney A ran out 3-2 winners at home to Oxford A to secure a 6-4 victory on aggregate in the Inter Area Cup semi-final, writes PETE EWINS.
John Bamsey lost a score of 15,000 for Witney in the opening leg, which let in Kevin Godfrey, whose 2,000 was enough to claim first blood for Oxford.
Witney’s Tony Willis then made it 1-1 after scoring 11,000 against Steven Sheard.
Mark Trafford kept Oxford’s hope alive by beating Roger Bowen in the third game.
But then Terry Cook beat Alan Oliver in a scrappy affair to square the match and put Witney 5-4 ahead on aggregate.
With Oxford ahead on aggregate scores, it was down to the last game, but Stuart Florey failed with the break, letting in Bill Keenan who clinched Witney’s place in the final against Wallingford B.
In the C team event, Oxford Ladies beat Reading 4-1 to register a 6-4 win on aggregate.
Sandra Tebby won the opener for Oxford only for Reading to level.
But then wins from Sue Atkins, Melissa Standbridge and captain Pauline Withey (4,660) saw Oxford home.
In the Oxford Three’s competition, Berinsfield knocked out Premier side Vikings Club 4-2.
Geoff Mace (4,090) put Berinsfield in front, before Alan Oliver levelled with a 6,810-1,800 win over Craig Mace.
Eddie Tebby (3,170), Geoff Mace (9,370) and Craig Mace (6,470) secured victory.
Kennington Club coasted to a 4-1 win over Masons at the Vikings Club.
Steven Sheard (11,390) and Mark Trafford (4,350) took the first two games for the Kennington side.
Masons’ Jason Smith (4,620) pulled one back, but then Sheard (11,510) and Trafford sealed victory.
Democrats’ Terry Green, Billy Hill and Richard Garrett went through after beating Masons’ Alan Lowe, Dave Rose and Lloyd Wells at the Gladiators.
In the Pairs Cup first round, Bob Pincombe and Phil Clark brushed aside Tony Harvey and Lewis Stratford 3-0 at Headington Conservative Club.
OXFORDSHIRE singles champion Keith Sheard goes for glory in the All England Singles Championship at Reading on Sunday.
Oxon also have two teams in the ladies county championships.
Pauline Withey, Sue Atkins, Jenny Florey, Jenny Parsons and Jane Wood make up the A string. Debbie Barton, Ruth Collett, Enid Wain, Sandra Tebby and Mellissa Standbridge form the B side.
HORSE & Harrow take on Nelson in the Oxfordshire team final at Cowley Workers Club on Saturday.
The prize for the winners is a place in Reading’s national finals on Sunday, October 25.
THURSDAY NIGHT’S MATCHES
Off The Spot: M Murphy v S Atkins, J Florey v D Tooke, S Florey v R Allsworth (at Cowley Workers Club); Simon Ellam v M Trafford (at Headington Con Club).
Never Won Cup: D Gordon v C Mace (at Didcot Con Club).
Men’s Individual 1st round: A Lacey v D Rose (at Plough Bicester).
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