English Short Mat Association Competition

Oxfordshire's A team began their Group 2 campaign with a fine 23-17 victory against Herefordshire at Benson.

John Cole got the home side off to a winning start, taking his first game 17-7.

Norman Cottrell held on in a close game to clinch it 13-12 and put Oxon 2-0 ahead.

In the pairs, Betty Dibley and Alan Foster came up just short, while the other duo, Martin Davies and Bob Cummins, won 18-9.

On the second run, all games were tight until the four of Helen Skidmore, Peter Collett, Christine Williams and Neil Pratley took a seven on one end to win 14-4.

RESULT

Oxfordshire 23 (192),

Herefordshire 17 (160)

Singles: J Cole won 17-7, 17-9; N Cottrell won 13-12, lost 16-9.

Pairs: B Dibley & A Foster lost 15-14, lost 16-11; M Davies & B Cummings won 18-9; drew 13-13.

Triples: M Strang, L Grey & E Hasker lost 11-6, won 11-8; D Sirett, P Collett & K Dickson won 11-9, lost 9-7.

Fours: H Skidmore, D Simms, C Williams, N Pratley: Won 14-4, won 17-6; M Weller, T Mills, C Robbins, B Smith lost 8-7; lost 8-7.

The county Premier side beat Hampshire in Group 4.

The first run of the mats was shared with Trevor Brown winning 14-13 in the singles, plus Julian Bradbury and Les Woodford claiming the pairs 13-9.

The second run saw a number of close games, but the triple of Geoff Cross, Tim Cross and Denis Wilson posted a convincing 16-4 victory.

RESULT

Oxfordshire 26 (171), Hampshire 14 (165)

Singles: T Brown won 14-13, lost 17-9; AJ Brown lost 21-5, won 13-8.

Pairs: J Bradbury & L Woodford won 13-9, won 13-10; M Keevil & N Davies lost 16-9, lost 14-10.

Triples: M Davies, C Hasker, B Barnard won 12-6, won 10-9; G Cross, T Cross, D Wilson won 16-4, lost 14-13.

Fours: A Sirett, C Iles, R Claridge, P Skidmore won 7-4, won 9-5; L Simms, B James, G Davies, D Wiggins won 10-8, won 8-7.

OXFORDSHIRE’S David Wiggins has been given the honour of captaining the English national team.

Wiggins, who is county chairman and also captain of the county, has been a member of the England squad for the last seven years.

He plays for Wootton and has won three national titles as well as representing his country at both the British and World Championships.