Week 17 September 2nd

LEGION CROWNED CHAMPIONS AFTER TITLE THRILLER!
Littlemore British Legion are Premier Section champions! With just one week of the season remaining, the leaders finally got their hands on the trophy after a dramatic 3-0 victory over The Ampleforth Arms ‘A’ — but what looked on paper like a straightforward whitewash proved anything but.
The Legion knew exactly what they had to do. Three points would guarantee the title regardless of what happened elsewhere, and although Ampleforth arrived as underdogs, they produced their second-best score of the season and pushed the champions-elect all the way. Ampleforth set a modest 22 in the opening leg, but the pressure appeared to get to the Legion as they struggled badly from the outset. With the halfway stage reached, Littlemore had just nine dolls on the board and, then with only two players remaining, needed nine to take the leg.
Step forward Kevin Baker and Kevin Stuart.
Baker produced a crucial five to put the Legion within touching distance, leaving anchor-man Stuart needing four. The pressure was immense, but Stuart delivered, whipping off the required four with his last stick to edge the Legion over the line 23-22.
Ampleforth refused to buckle and raised the bar in the second, setting 24. Once again, the Legion found themselves in trouble and, with their final two players left, needed ten dolls to keep their title hopes on track. And once again, Baker and Stuart came to the rescue.
Baker smashed a maximum six to leave Stuart needing four — and, incredibly, the anchor-man repeated the trick, taking all four to give Littlemore another narrow victory, this time 25-24.
Now just one leg stood between the Legion and the Premier Section crown.
Ampleforth could only set 18 in the final leg, and this time there was to be no late drama. Littlemore responded with 23, securing the third point they needed and sending the champagne corks popping.
The Legion had done it. Champions with a week still to play.
Baker was outstanding on the night, finishing with 16 dolls, including a maximum, with scores of 5-6-5. But the headline belongs to the whole Legion side, who held their nerve when the pressure was at its absolute highest.

Littlemore's closest challengers, North Leigh FC, endured a torrid night at home as The Blackbird stunned them with a 3-0 victory. It was a low-scoring affair and North Leigh never really found their rhythm, slipping to defeats of 16-18 and 14-22 in the opening two legs. They finally found their form in the third, drawing level at 23-23, but The Blackbird held their nerve in the three-sticker shoot-out to complete the whitewash.
Martin Cook was the Blackbird's only player to reach double figures, finishing with 11 dolls from scores of 2-4-5.

Last season's champions, The White House, moved into the runners-up position with an impressive all-round performance away at New Club ‘A’. The White House swept aside their hosts 25-23, 26-22 and 27-18, with Mick Phipps leading the charge with a baker's dozen — 13 dolls from 3-5-5. Roger Goodall and Steve McAteer both chipped in with a dozen, Goodall posting 5-3-4 and McAteer 4-3-5.
New Club were led by James Morrison and Luke Purcell, who both finished with 12 dolls, Morrison scoring 5-4-3 and Purcell 5-3-4, but it wasn't enough to prevent the White House taking all three points.

The Jolly Sportsman remain just one point behind the White House after another maximum haul, this time at home to Masons Arms ‘A’. It was a controlled performance from Sportsman, who never looked in serious trouble as they swept to a 25-18, 27-14, 24-20 victory. Marcus Reading led the way with an excellent 13 dolls, scoring 4-5-4, as Sportsman kept their challenge for second place firmly alive.

The two Black Horse sides went head-to-head, with the ‘A’ team eventually edging their ‘B’ team 2-1 in a closely fought encounter. The ‘B’ team set 20 in the opening leg and appeared to have put the pressure on after a poor start from the ‘A’ team. With their final two players needing nine, however, the ‘A’ team found a way through. Steve Ward hit four, leaving anchor-man Steve Walton needing five to steal the leg — and he duly delivered. The ‘A’ team then made sure of victory in the second leg, setting and winning it 19-13. However the ‘B’ team refused to leave empty-handed.
Chasing 17 in the final leg, they needed eight from their last two players. Seamus O'Malley delivered five, leaving anchor-man Stu Wells three to find. Wells held his nerve and duly knocked off the required three to finish on 18, securing a well-deserved point for the ‘B’ team.
Steve Walton was the star performer for the ‘A’ team, finishing with an impressive 13 dolls from 5-4-4.
The Premier Section title may now have a new home, but the final week promises plenty of drama. Littlemore British Legion can relax. Everyone else still has something to fight for.
The champions have been crowned — but the battle for the positions behind them is going right down to the final throw.

SIX BELLS RING OUT FOR SECTION 2!
Leaders finally get their hands on the title after surviving a Donnington thriller
After leading the Section 2 table for much of the season, Six Bells ‘C’ have finally got their hands on the title — but they certainly weren't given it.
The Bells travelled to one of their closest rivals, Donnington Club ‘C’, knowing that a victory would put them within touching distance of glory. What followed was a nail-biting encounter in which just two dolls separated the teams across the entire night.
It was a title fight worthy of the occasion. The tension was there from the very first throw. Six Bells edged the opening leg by the narrowest possible margin, winning 15-14. Donnington weren't about to surrender and hit straight back in the second. They set 20 and Six Bells matched them, leaving the leg tied at 20-20. Everything came down to the three-sticker shoot-out. This time it was Donnington who held their nerve, taking the leg to level the match at 1-1. Donnington set 17 in the deciding leg and appeared to have given themselves a chance. Six Bells, however, struggled early on and suddenly the pressure was firmly on their final man. With the title hanging in the balance, anchor-man Nick Edmonds was left needing three dolls to win the leg. Three dolls for the championship. Edmonds didn't blink. He whipped off all three to give Six Bells a 18-17 victory, winning the match 2-1 and, more importantly, securing the Section 2 title. Cue the wild celebrations.
After finishing runners-up last season, Six Bells ‘C’ have gone one better this time around. The wait is over. The Bells have rung out for Section 2!

WADs Bar are enjoying one of their best seasons for many years — and their latest victory has pushed them into the runners-up spot. They saw off visiting Donnington Club ‘B’ in another closely fought contest. WADs started strongly, edging the opening leg 15-14, but Donnington responded immediately, levelling the match with a 14-12 victory in the second. Everything rested on the final leg. This time WADs raised the standard, setting an impressive 23. Donnington simply couldn't respond, managing just 13 dolls in reply. WADs took the leg, the match and a crucial three points — enough to move them into second place. With one week remaining, their best season in years could now finish with the runners-up spot

Donnington Club ‘A’ ended a three-match losing streak with a hard-fought 3-0 victory away at Queens Head ‘A’, and there was a new landmark moment for Ben Carter, who produced the performance of the night. Carter finished with an excellent 13 dolls, including his first-ever maximum six, posting 2-5-6. Queens Head set 14 in the opening leg and Carter was the man who delivered the response, clanging off the winning dolls to give Donnington 16 and the first leg.
Donnington then took control in the second, setting and winning it 21-18. The final leg proved another test of nerves.
Queens Head set 15, but a poor start from Donnington left anchor-man Carter needing four dolls to complete the whitewash. Instead, he went two better, smashing off all six dolls. Carter finished in style to complete the 3-0 victory and cap a memorable night.

The local derby between Garsington Sports Club and New Club ‘B’ failed to produce quite the fireworks expected — but it was New Club who recovered from an early setback to take the spoils. Garsington raced out of the blocks and won the opening leg comfortably 17-11. That, however, was to be their only success.
New Club hit back strongly, taking the second leg 15-11 to level the match before completing the turnaround with a 17-9 victory in the decider. A derby victory for New Club ‘B’ — and another reminder that in Section 2, the final throw is never short of drama.

SECTION 3 DRAMA IS FAR FROM OVER
With the Section 3 title already safely in the hands of Cowley Workers, you could forgive the champions for taking their foot off the gas. Not a chance. Workers continued their remarkable run with a sixth consecutive victory, this time surviving a stern challenge from The Ampleforth Arms ‘B’ to come away with a 2-1 win.
The champions set the pace early, taking the opening leg 14-9, but Ampleforth refused to lie down. They responded with an impressive set of 18 and, with Workers managing just 11 in reply, suddenly the match was all square.
Ampleforth then set 16 in the decider, leaving the champions with work to do. Workers rose to the occasion, however, and a strong opening left anchor-man Eamon Hanlon needing just three dolls to seal another victory. Hanlon went one better, hitting four to give Workers an 18 total and another win to add to their already impressive run.
Graham Bourton led the champions' charge with 11 dolls, scoring 3-3-5.

While Cowley Workers have long since settled the championship question, the battle behind them is becoming increasingly difficult to call.
Littlemore Rugby Club moved into a share of second place after producing a superb comeback against Red Lion Yarnton.
Yarnton looked to have seized control immediately, setting and winning the opening leg 19-14. But what followed was a dramatic collapse in standards as Littlemore turned the match on its head.
Rugby Club took the second 12-10 before completing the turnaround with a 14-11 victory in the decider. From staring at defeat after the opening leg, Littlemore walked away with a crucial 2-1 victory and a share of second spot.
With the finishing positions now becoming increasingly important, every remaining point could prove vital.

At the other end of the table, Headington Con Club now know they will finish at the foot of Section 3 following another defeat, this time at the hands of The Catherine Wheel ‘C’.The Wheel produced another consistent performance to take all three legs, winning 14-8, 15-12 and 14-12 to complete a convincing 3-0 victory.
Kevin McMahon was the standout performer, producing a dozen dolls with scores of 3-5-4 as Catherine Wheel continued to show the consistency that has carried them through the season.

Littlemore British Legion ‘B’ are finishing the season with a flourish, extending their winning streak to three games while handing The Masons Arms ‘B’ a fifth consecutive defeat. Masons looked to have the momentum after edging a tight opening leg 13-12, but Legion refused to panic. They regrouped and came roaring back, taking the second 15-11 before powering through the decider 18-11. Another 10-doll haul from Darren Walker, who scored 2-5-3, helped Legion complete the turnaround and continue their late-season surge.

If Six Bells ‘B’ have been waiting for the right moment to produce their best performance of the season, they certainly found it. The Bells smashed their previous best score of the campaign as they swept Catherine Wheel ‘C’ aside 3-0.
The opening leg went Six Bells' way 16-12, while the second was a real nail-biter, Bells sneaking home 15-14.
Then came the statement of the night. Six Bells set an imposing 19 in the final leg and Catherine Wheel suffered a nightmare start, with their first three players failing to trouble the doll. From there, there was no way back. They eventually limped to just 11 as The Bells completed their biggest performance of the season.
Graham Williams led the charge with an excellent 11 dolls, scoring 3-4-4.

With only the final weeks remaining, there is still plenty to settle — and every leg, every doll and every league point could now make the difference between finishing the season with a flourish or wondering what might have been.

SECTION 4: IT ALL COMES DOWN TO THE FINAL WEEK!
It simply couldn’t be tighter. With just one week of games remaining, The Red Lion Cassington and Bletchingdon Sports Club are locked together at the top of Section 4 on 38 points apiece, while Rose Hill ‘A’ sit just three points behind, waiting patiently for the leaders to slip.
With both front-runners finding themselves involved in dramatic finishes this week, there is plenty of reason to believe the title race could go right down to the final doll.
Bletchingdon Sports Club have timed their run to perfection, recording a sixth consecutive victory to pull themselves level at the summit. Their latest success came away at Vikings Sports ‘C’, where they looked to be cruising after taking the opening two legs comfortably, 14-9 and 16-10. But the final leg produced a huge twist.
Bletchingdon set 15 and Vikings matched the target with just one player remaining. With everything seemingly pointing towards a Vikings win, the final player blobbed out, sending the leg to three sticks. It was an unexpected lifeline for Bletchingdon — and they grabbed it with both hands, winning the shoot-out to complete a 3-0 victory.
How important that piece of good fortune will prove to be could become one of the big questions of the final week.
Lion Survive Scare at Kidlington

If Bletchingdon needed luck, Red Lion Cassington needed every ounce of nerve they could find at Kidlington Sports Club.
The leaders suffered the worst possible start when they were set 17 by the Sportsmen and could only respond with 14, falling three short and immediately putting themselves under pressure. But champions elect aren't champions elect by accident, and The Lion roared back in the second. A comfortable 15-7 victory levelled the match and settled the nerves, leaving everything riding on the final leg.
Kidlington set what looked like a vulnerable 11, and Cassington appeared to be cruising towards victory. More than halfway to the target with half the team still to throw, The Lion looked firmly in control. Then came the blob.
Suddenly the pressure was back on, but Cassington held their nerve, eventually scraping over the line with 12, edging the leg by a single doll and snatching victory from the jaws of defeat.
For Kidlington, it was another case of so near yet so far, for Cassington, it could prove to be a priceless point.
Gary Smith was outstanding for Kidlington Sports, producing a superb 10-doll haul which included a maximum six, scoring 6-1-3. Now comes the big question: how crucial will that dropped point be when the final standings are decided?

Three points off the pace, Rose Hill ‘A’ remain very much alive — and they could yet turn this into a three-way title battle.
They did their part by defeating their own ‘B’ team 2-1, although they were pushed all the way. The opening leg finished level at 12-12, with Rose Hill ‘A’ eventually taking the three-stick shoot-out. The ‘B’ team hit back in the second, chasing 14 and producing an excellent 16 to level the match.
That left the deciding leg, where the ‘A’ team produced when it mattered, setting an impressive 18. Rose Hill ‘B’ could only manage 12 in reply, handing the ‘A’ team a crucial victory, and now they wait.
Three points separate Rose Hill from the leaders, meaning the most unlikely scenario could yet produce a three-way play-off. If both Red Lion Cassington and Bletchingdon Sports were to suffer 3-0 defeats in the final week, Rose Hill would have their chance to crash the party.
Stranger things have happened in Aunt Sally.

At the other end of the table, Corner House are still searching for their first point of the campaign after suffering another 3-0 defeat. This time it was The White Hart who proved too strong, controlling the match from start to finish and taking all three legs 12-8, 13-7 and 16-6.

Gardiner Arms looked to be heading for victory at The Tandem after making an excellent start. They set and won the opening leg 14-9, but their performance fell away dramatically over the next two legs.
Chasing sets of 11 and 18, Gardiner could only respond with scores of 9 and 4, allowing The Tandem to complete an impressive comeback and take the match 2-1. Neil Clarkson was the standout performer, hitting a maximum six as part of an excellent 10-doll haul, scoring 1-3-6.

ONE WEEK. THREE TEAMS. ONE TITLE.
And so, Section 4 heads into its final week with the title race perfectly poised.
Red Lion Cassington — 38 points.
Bletchingdon Sports Club — 38 points.
Rose Hill ‘A’ — 35 points.
The two leaders have survived scares. Bletchingdon have the momentum of six straight wins, while Cassington have the experience — but Rose Hill are lurking just three points behind, ready to pounce on any slip.
After months of competition, it all comes down to one final night. The title is there to be won and there is absolutely no room for error.

SIXERS
K.Baker (Littlemore B.L.) B.Carter (Donnington ‘A’) L.Worrall (Donnington ‘C’) N.Clarkson (The Tandem) G.Smith (Kidlington sports)

BLOBBERS
S.Wyatt (Garsington Sports) S.Pitson (Rose Hill ‘A’) D.ward (Corner House)

TOP DOLL SCORERS
16: K.Baker (Littlemore B.L.)
13: S.Walton (Black Horse ‘A’) B.Carter (Donnington Club ‘A’) M.Reading (Jolly Sportsman) L.Worrall (Donnington ‘C’) M.Phipps (White House)

PREMIER CHAMPIONS LITTLEMORE BRITISH LEGION A
Andy Beal, Brian Lester, Kevin Giles, Billy Trinder, Steve Bayliss
Scott Thompson, Kevin Baker, Mark Bayliss, Kevin Stuart

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