Kennnington defeated Vikings 3-2 in their opening Group A game of the Area All-England team championships.

Played in a round robin format at the Lamb & Flag in Hailey, Kevin Godfrey (11,430) won the opener, before Steven Sheard (6,670) and Eynsham’s singles winner Mark Trafford, who narrowly beat Alan Oliver 6,350-5,520, saw Kennington storm into a 3-0 lead.

Although Ian Moss (8,170) and Bob Allsworth (5,350) hit back for Vikings, the damage had been done.

Kennington now play Bletchingdon in their next match.

Meanwhile, the six-week summer league starts tonight with the teams split into two groups of four.

In Group A, Kennington take on Didcot Con Club, and Masons Arms battle it out with Bletchingdon, while in Group B, Democrats Club play Headington Cons, and Gladiators take on Comrades Club.

Teams who wish to enter the winter league must return their entry forms to secretary Pete Ewins by July 31.