Masons A raced to a 4-1 home victory over nearest rivals Democrats Club to open up a six-point lead at the top of Section 1 with just two games left.

Dave Rose set Masons on the way by rattling up 11,290 for his ninth win of the season, before Martyn Wood (9,010) and Mick Murphy (4,510) put them into an unassailable lead.

Terry Green recorded the highest away score with 7,940 against the break to get the better of Alan Lowe, but then rising star Lewis Stratford sealed victory with a 9,430-3,550 win against Richard Garrett.

Mark Trafford beat Eddie Tebby 8,550-1,250 in the decider to give Premier Section leaders Kennington Club a 3-2 win at Berinsfield Club.

Earlier wins by Steven Sheard (9,280, break 8,000) and Ian Gordon (9,670, break 8,260) for Kennington had been cancelled out by Tony Broadway (6,390) and Geoff Mace.

Cowley Workers Club remain bottom after losing 4-1 at Vikings Club.

Mike Jones (5,030) Alan Oliver, Ian Moss and Bob Allsworth starred for Vikings, with Sean Stratford preventing the whitewash by defeating Alan Lacey 4,050-2,290.

Section 3 leaders Gladiators Club B lost their second match on the bounce, going down 3-2 at home to Section 2 side Comrades Club.

Simon Ellam (12,000) recorded the highest away break to date with 8,720 to win the match for the Comrades.

Earlier, Luke Storch and Adam Thorn (7,340) had shone for Comrades, with Phil Clark (4,800) and Reg Johnson (4,510) replying.

Three points behind are Headington Conservative Club, who won 4-1 at Section 2 side Dolphin.

Graham Mildenhall Tim Jeffries, Sid Ponting and top scorer Dave Gordon (4,140) did the damage, with Joe Storch (4,710) Dolphin’s sole winner.

Results Premier/Section 1: Masons A 4, Democrats 1; Didcot Con Club 4, Masons B 1; Vikings 4, Cowley Workers 4; Berinsfield 2, Kennington 3.

Section 2/3: Dolphin 1, Headington Con Club 4; Gladiators B 2, Comrades 3; Shelley 2, Gladiators A 3.

Tonight’s FIXTURES Scotlands Ash League Cup semi-finals: Vikings v Comrades (at Didcot Con Club), Gladiators A v Kennington (at Comrades Club).

Plate: Masons A v Berinsfield (at Democrats), Masons B v Shelley (at Gladiators).