Oxford A are facing an uphill task in the Inter-Area Competition after going down 4-1 to Reading A in the second round, first leg at Caversham Working Men's Club.

Keith Sheard (12,280, break 12,100) won Oxford's only point.

Oxford seek to pull back the deficit in the second leg at Morris Motors on Tuesday, April 18.

In the Morrells of Oxford League Knockout Cup Group A semi-finals, Crown pipped Democrats A 3-2 at the Masons.

Sue Atkins beat Democrats' Billy Hill 5,210-3,700 in the decider.

Crown had twice led through Dave Tooke (2,180) and Steve Denny (4,530), only for Terry Green (7,000) and Geoff Mace (12,680) to haul Democrats level.

In the final, Crown will face Morris Motors, who beat Portcullis 4-1 at the Brick- layers.

Keith Sheard (14,090), Pauline Withey (3,690), Steven Sheard (8,150) and Ray Sturgess (7,510) shone for Morris Motors, with Mick Shephard (6,920) replying.

In the Knockout Cup Group B semi-final, Gladiators B edged past Cavalier 3-2 at Morris Motors.

Phil Clark (5,070) kept his cool in the last game to put Gladiators into the final.

Larry Richens (5,670) had put Cavalier 1-0 up, before Reg Johnson 2,670 and Neil Cunliffe took the next two for Gladiators.

Billy Billison then made it 2-2, winning on the last ball against Jenny Webb.