Bicester D edged into the fourth round of the Oxford & District League’s Aubrey Hughes Handicap Shield with a 416-405 victory over higher-division opponents.

Bicester, who are struggling near the bottom of Division 4, were giving a 150-point start against high-flying Division 3 opponents Forum G, but knew they would still have to play well to get through.

Bicester’s John Chalcraft got his team off to a flier by beating David Berkon 21-18, 21-15.

Forum took the next two matches with Anthony Howgego seeing off Keith Holliday and Bob Hallett defeating John Benford.

It was nip-and-tuck up to the concluding doubles, where Bicester took the final game 21-15 to book their place in the fourth round.

Forum A gave Forum E a 180-point start, but managed to get through by 13 points.

Karl Bushell, Jeremy Flint and Fraser Harris were on form for the A team against John Duncalfe, Lorne Lonie and Sindy Li.

Forum B gave a 260-point start against Forum I, but Ellis Bicknell, Greg Boone and Andrew Flint saw off Pichitpong Juiwong, Brian Sandison and Guy East by just 14 points.

Roel Dullens, Rob Williams and Mark Scott for Vikings A had too much for Gladiators trio Kevin Giles, Paul Knight and Alan Ayers.

Gladiators had a 150-point start, but Vikings won by 33 points.

Vikings B also got through, despite giving a 180-point start to Forum F, Vikings winning by 27 points.

Gladiators A were the only other Division 1 side to reach the fourth round as Xingjiu Huang, Paul Reynolds and Dave Ralls swept aside Vikings E (+10) by 58 points.

Witney A bagged a place in the next round, beating Haddenham A by 84 points.

Witney’s Brian Jermyn, Glenn Bishop and Maurice Chambers were given a 70-point start, which proved more than enough to see off Haddenham’s Simon Witney, Mark Penn and Malcolm Burr.

RESULTS

Aubrey Hughes Shield 3rd round: Vikings A 414, Gladiators B (+150) 381; Forum B 420, Forum I (+260) 406; Haddenham A 359, Witney A (+70) 443; Gladiators A 388, Vikings E (+10) 330; Vikings D 394, Forum J (+170) 427; Bicester D (+150) 416, Forum G 405; Forum A 419, Forum E (+180) 406; Forum F (+180) 392, Vikings B 419.