NORTH Leigh were pushed all the way in their 3-0 Oxford & District Premier Division victory over Gladiators A.
After taking the first leg 27-20, the west Oxfordshire side matched their opponents’ 24 and won 14-12 in three sticks.
North Leigh set a mammoth 32 in the final leg, but Gladiators hit 20 at the halfway mark on their way to levelling again.
The hosts stayed calm, though, and won 16-12 in three sticks to complete the whitewash. Andy Beal top-scored for Gladiators with a baker’s dozen (3-4-6).
In Section One, Kevin Stuart was in tremendous form as he hit 14 dolls (5-5-4) for The George A against The Blackbird B – but it was all in vain as the hosts lost 2-1.
Meanwhile, The Ampleforth Arms A finally tasted success thanks to a 2-1 win at The Swan A, taking the final leg 22-21. Liam Purcell was top dog, with 13 dolls (4-4-5).
In Section Two, Pete Rampton hit 13 dolls (5-3-5) as leaders Red Lion B Kidlington grabbed maximum points against Seacourt Bridge, triumphing 22-20, 19-17, 21-15.
Elsewhere, Gladiators B enjoyed a fine win at home to title-chasers Red Lion A Yarnton.
They took the lead with an impressive 27-19 victory, but were pegged back 25-22.
Gladiators claimed the decider 23-17, with 14-year-old Jayden Clarke managing eight dolls in his debut season.
After losing their first six games, Donnington A have won two on the bounce – but their 3-0 whitewash of Chequers A did not reflect a close contest.
Anchor man Steve Walton hit four dolls to send the first leg to three sticks at 16-16, with the hosts emerging victorious.
It was a similar story next time around as Chequers anchor man Dave Green whipped off four dolls to force an 18-18 tie, with Donnington winning a
three-stick shoot-out before taking the decider 20-18.
OTHER WEEK EIGHT SCORES
Premier/Section One: Donnington C 3, Garsington Sports 0; New Club 0, Black Prince 3.
Section Two: Vikings A 2, Chequers B 1.
Section Three: Masons Arms A 3, George B 0; Ampleforth Arms B 1, Donnington Club B 2; Vikings B 1, Red Lion A 2; Blackbird A 1, Cricketers Arms 2.
Section Four: Six Bells C 1, Six Bells B 2; Duke Of Monmouth 1, Bletchingdon Sports 2; Red Lion B 1, Rose Hill Club 2; Kidlington FC 0, Six Bells Quarry 3; The Tandem 1, Masons Arms B 2.
Section Five: The Swan C 1, Golden Ball 2; Cricketers Arms 2, Littlemore RFC 2; Red Lion Cassington 1, Northway Club B 2.
SIXERS: A Beal (Gladiators A), G Glenister (North Leigh FC), C Jilbert (Masons Arms B), D Merry (Swan C), R Wade (New Club), R Bradford (Black Prince).
BLOBBERS: J Whittington (Duke Of Monmouth), D Edmonds (Six Bells C), W Beavan (Northway Club B).
TOP DOLL SCORERS: 14: K Stuart (George A). 13: A Beal (Gladiators A), L Purcell (Ampleforth Arms A), P Rampton (Red Lion B Kidlington).
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