NEW Club A are on the brink of being crowned Section 1 champions after beating George A 2-1 at home, writes ANDY BEAL.

They need just two points from their final three games to land the title, but they had to battle hard in their latest success.

Ronnie Wade (3-4-6), who clanged off 13 dolls, and Andy Lewis (6-2-3) helped New Club win the first leg 29-24.

George, whose Liam Purcell (3-6-3) hit 12, took the second 27-22 to level, but the hosts clinched the decider 27-22.

Second-placed Garsington Sports dropped a point when beating Red Lion A Yarnton in leg scores of 13-17, 16-15, 18-14.

In the Premier Section, Swan A need four points to defend their title.

Jon Townsend (5-5-3) whipped off 13 as they triumphed 3-0 at Chequers A.

Gladiators A kept up the pressure when beating Black Prince 3-0.

Despite Roger Goodall’s (4-6-5) 15-doll haul, Prince let their visitors off the hook with inconsistent throwing in a 28-26, 28-23, 22-21 defeat.

Woodman’s slim title hopes are over after a 2-1 loss at Swan B.

Three teams are still in contention for the Section 2 crown.

Donnington C lead by three points after beating title rivals Ampleforth Arms A 2-1.

Second-placed Gladiators C dropped a crucial point at home to Six Bells E, while Adam Baker (5-5-3) clanged off 13 as Donnington A came from behind to beat Bullnose Morris A.

Section 3 leaders Gladiators B boosted their hopes with a 3-0 win over Six Bells B and were helped by a shock result elsewhere.

Second-placed Six Bells A were stunned 2-1 at home by Rose Hill, who triumphed in leg scores of 16-12, 16-18, 16-11.

Steve Jessup (4-3-6) hit 13, but it proved in vain as Littlemore British Legion A suffered a 2-1 defeat at George A.

Cowley Workers scored more dolls than Section 4 pacesetters Catherine Wheel B – 50-49 – but fell to a 2-1 defeat.

Green Road A kept their faint title hopes alive, but dropped a point at basement side Swan C.

The final leg was decided on three sticks by the visitors after it had been tied 15-15.

Section 5’s top six are separated by six points and leaders Cricketers Arms Cowley have seen their lead cut to one after falling to back-to-back defeats.

They were beaten 2-1 at Donnington B, who clinched victory in leg scores of 15-11, 10-16, 14-12.

Vikings Sports C closed the gap when beating Red Lion B Marston 3-0.

Section 6 is also tight, but front-running Chequers B improved their chances when winning all three legs against Green Road B.

However, they needed a three-stick shootout to secure maximum points after the third leg was tied 11-11.

Headington Conservative Club need just two points to land the Section 7 crown after whitewashing White Hart Wytham.

RESULTS ROUND-UP OXFORD & DISTRICT LEAGUE Premier/Section 1: Chequers A 0, Swan A 3; Red Lion A 1, Garsington Sports 2; Black Prince 0, Gladiators A 3; New Club A 2, George A 1; Swan B 2, Woodman 1.

Section 2: Tiddington Cricket Club 3, Red Lion A Kidlington 0; Gladiators C 2, Six Bells E 1; Six Bells D 1, Red Lion A Marston 2; Donnington Club C 2, Ampleforth Arms A 1; Bullnose Morris A 1, Donnington Club A 2.

Section 3: George B 2, Littlemore BL A 1; Gladiators B 3, Six Bells B 0; Six Bells A 1, Rose Hill Club 2; Masons Arms A 0, Queens Head 3; Seacourt Bridge 2, New Club B 1.

Section 4: Blackbird 3, Bullnose Morris B 0; Northway Club C 3, Vikings Sports A 0; Vikings Sports B 2, Red Lion B 1; Cowley Workers Club 1, Catherine Wheel B 2; Swan C 1, Green Road Club A 2.

Section 5: Ampleforth Arms B 3, Cricketers Arms Littleworth 0; Red Lion B 0, Vikings Sports C 3; Vikings Sports D 0, Tandem 3; Donnington Club B 2, Cricketers Arms Cowley 1; Littlemore BL B 0, Masons Arms B 3.

Section 6: Catherine Wheel A 1, White Horse 2; Golden Ball 1, Duke of Monmouth 2; Prince of Wales 1, Kidlington FC A 2; Green Road Club B 0, Chequers B 3; Red Lion B Kidlington 2, Bletchington Sports 1.

Section 7: Marston BL 1, Yarnton BL 2; Kidlington FC B 3, Red Lion 0; East Oxford Con Club 0, Northway Club B 3; White Hart Wytham 0, Headington Con Club 3; White Hart Wolvecote 1, Democrats Club 2.

Top doll scorers: 15 – R Goodall (Black Prince). 13 – R Wade (New Club A), J Morrison (George A), J Townsend (Black Prince), A Baker (Donnington Club A), S Jessup (Littlemore BL A), N Clarkson (Tandem).

Sixers: A Lewis, R Wade (both New Club A), Li Purcell (George A), R Goodall (Black Prince), W Townsend (Six Bells E), S Jessup (Littlemore BL A), P Kennett (Masons Arms A), M Jacob (Chequers B).

Blobbers: E Hopkins (Littlemore BL B), M Lyons (Masons Arms B), A Gibbs, C Gibbs (both Democrats Club), D Rees (White Hart Wolvercote), C Laver (Yarnton BL), M Sinnott (Northway Club B), K Bratton (East Oxford Con Club), S Baker (Kidlington FC B).

BICESTER & DISTRICT LEAGUE (Sponsored by Lodge Garage Mazda, Kingswood) Premier & Div 1: White Horse 2, Pheasant Inn 1; Black Bull A 1, Highfield SC 2; Crown A 2, Nut Tree 1.

Div 2: Bell Bicester 3, Bull Inn A 0; Brill S&SC B 3, Red Cow 0; Lion 2, White Horse 1; Muddy Duck 2, Prince of Wales 1.

Div 3: Barley Mow 3, Chearsley Cricketers 0; Ashton Club 3, Chandos Arms 0; Shakespeare 3, Brill S&SC A.

Div 4: Hundred Acres 0, Harrison 3; Red Lion Finmere 2, White Hart 1; Fox Souldern 3, Crown Twyford 0; Bull Inn B 3, Plough A 0.

Div 5: Plough Casuals 0, Crown B 3; Black Bull Divas 3, Blacks Head 0; Eight Bells 1, Fountain 2; Bull & Butcher A 2, Safari Garden 1.