Oxfordshire travelled to Stratford-u-Avon, to play their third Middleton Cup game this season, against Warwickshire.
After last weeks' 10 shot defeat to Worcestershire, to keep in contention to lead the group, a good performance was required, and the whole team did not disappoint!!
On Rink 1, Captain Howard Watts, A J Docherty, John Major and Keith Holloway were involved in a very even game, which after the 11th end, showed the scores 10 shots apiece, - however 9 shots in 5 ends saw them take a 19 -13 lead, and a further 4 shots saw them finish 23 - 19 winners. All players contributed and played well as a rink.
On Rink 2, Paul Sharman, Ian Henwood, Mark Vaughan and Ian Snowdon played superbly throughout, scoring regularly, at 11 ends they were 16-4 in front , and ran out convincing winners as the highest winning rink 28-11.
On Rink 3 Shane Cooper, Mark Sykes, Will Campion and Nigel Siford were competing in a close tussle, after 11 ends Oxfordshire were only 2 shots up leading 12-10, but 7 shots over the next 6 ends saw them increase the lead to 19- 13 and they eventually closed out the game 22-18
On Rink 4 Craig Morphet , Joe Justin, Joe Abercrombie and Andy Cross saw another close game. After 11 ends Oxfordshire were 13- 9 adrift, and consistent scoring from their opponents saw them 16-10 down after 15 ends. However 6 points over 4 ends , with only one to Warwickshire saw them trail by only one shot 16-17 after 19 ends , but a three dropped on the 20th end, and only a further 2 shots picked up on the last end by Oxfordshire , saw the game lost by 2 shots, 18-20.
On Rink 5 Mark Charlett, Nick Rae-Welsh , making his first appearance of the season, Phil Gladden and Lee Young featured in the comeback story of the day!
10-0 down after 4 ends, they gradually began to claw shots back but having played 16 ends anything else but a brave defeat looked unlikely.
However , at that point the team went into overdrive picking up 8 shots over 4 ends and going into the last end 18-18. Although the opposing 3 and skip narrowly missed ditching the jack two further shots went to Oxfordshire and a remarkable win was complete 20-18
Finally on Rink 6 Kevin Alder, Martin Shepherd, David Leighfield and Mick Jelfs despite going 0-5 down after the first two ends , gradually settled, and by 11 ends were 10-8 in front, a lead which they extended in the second half of the game to run out deserved 21-14 winners. The whole rink played well but in particular skip, Kevin Alder, a deserved "Man of the Match" who played some fine conversion and saving shots throughout the game.
Final score Oxfordshire 132 - Warwickshire 101 - points 20 - 2 to Oxfordshire
This was a terrific team effort with many good performances across all the rinks. As of tonight Oxfordshire head the group table with 41 points 4 points ahead of Gloucestershire , who meet each other in a fortnight in a game that might decide the group.