THE Oxford & District Section One title race was blown wide open in the penultimate week of the season.

Leaders The Blackbird B suffered a 3-0 defeat at The Swan A in their final game, losing 23-21, 19-17, 25-21.

Meanwhile, The George A beat New Club by the same scoreline, with Kevin Stuart in fine form as he clanged off 17 dolls (5-6-6).

It means The George will win the title if they take three points from their final game next week.

They won the opening two legs 23-16 and 22-18, but anchor man Stuart needed six to level the scores at 22-22. He did just that and The George sealed victory in a three-stick shootout.

In Section Two, Red Lion B Kidlington’s title hopes took a blow with a 2-1 loss at Vikings A.

The leaders began with a 21-18 win, but their opponents hit back with victories of 17-16, 18-17.

Donnington A fought back to beat Queens Head 2-1 and end a dismal eight-game losing run.

They were edged out on three sticks after drawing the opener 16-16, before winning the next two legs 15-8 and 15-12.

The Section Three title will go to the wire after joint leaders The Blackbird A lost at Cowley Workers and Masons Arms A won 2-1 against Donnington B.

The Blackbird lost the first two legs 16-10, 14-11, but rallied in the next one to triumph 19-11 and secure an important point.

Masons set and lost the first leg 19-14 before winning the next two on three sticks after 15-15 and 12-12 draws. Paul Simms threw well for Donnington with 11 dolls (3-4-4).

Bletchington Sports beat Six Bells Quarry to take the Section Four crown. The leg scores were 21-13, 11-12 and 16-11.

The Section Five title will go to the last week, with Littlemore RFC holding a one-point lead over closest rivals The Swan C.

The rugby club have played all their games, but Swan beat Northway B 2-1 to stay in the hunt ahead of the final fixture.

White Hart Wolvercote conceded their game against Littlemore after the death of player Felix Roper.

OTHER WEEK 17 RESULTS

Premier/Section One: Ampleforth Arms A 0, Gladiators A 3; Black Prince 2, Garsington Sports 1.

Section Two: Gladiators B 1, Seacourt Bridge 2; Chequers B 3, Chequers A 0.

Section Three: The George B 1, Cricketers Arms 2; Vikings B 2, Ampleforth Arms B 2; Red Lion A 1, Catherine Wheel 2.

Section Four: Six Bells C 1, Rose Hill 2; Six Bells B 2, Masons Arms B 1; Kidlington FC 3, Red Lion B 0; Duke Of Monmouth 3, The Tandem 0.

Section Five: Golden Ball 3, White Horse 0; Littlemore RFC 3, White Hart 0; Cricketers Arms 3, Red Lion 0.

SIXERS: K Stuart 2 (George A), I McAteer (Black Prince).

BLOBBERS: W Jones (Six Bells C), J Whittington (Duke Of Monmouth).

TOP DOLL SCORERS: 17: K Stuart (George A); 13: B Ruffles (Garsington Sports).