Warwickshire hopped across their southern border to take on Oxfordshire at Chipping Norton, a sweltering afternoon saw the Bears salvage a 92-92 draw despite only winning two of the six rinks.

Martin Sandwell (Bilton), Martin Lithgo (Stratford), County Secretary Michael Jackson and Assistant Secretary Bob Allcock dropped an early three and four but recovered to lead by two after eight ends. A four and a brace of trebles helped Allcock’s rink build a fifteen shot lead with two ends left, Oxfordshire took both with doubles, final score 25-14. Ken Tredgold (Southam), Rick Hayes (Avenue Leamington), John Bentien (Royal Leamington Spa) and Alan Bister (Wellesbourne) were level after five ends and also fourteen ends. Bister and co shut out their opponents to finish the game 19-11 winners.

Past President Peter Vale Humphries, Mark Noble (Thornfield), Past President Don Darby and Past President Geoff Moran were all square after eleven ends but dropped three singles to drop behind. A brace of doubles put Moran and co one ahead but Oxfordshire finished with a single and double to win 14-12. Chris Dickens (Little Compton), Sid Solanki (Avon), Mike Jefferies (Little Compton) and David Vowels (Executive) struggled to keep up with their opponents, ten shots down after twelve ends. Vowels and co finished stronger including a five but could only reduce the deficit, final score 13-17.

Mick Sharpe (Rugby Railway), Match Secretary Mike Hall, Jerry Horne (Royal Leamington Spa) and Bruce Truman (Rugby Railway) went from six down after six to one up after twelve ends. Oxfordshire limited Truman’s rink to a double as they ran away 15-11 winners. Steve Poole (Lillington), Mark Neville (Avon), Ted Coupe (Executive) and Past President Nigel Hewitson reached the midway point three shots down but dropped a six and four in quick succession as the hosts took the game 21-12.