CHIPPING Norton have proved the team to beat in this season’s indoor competitions.

The club have produced winners in the BBC Radio Oxford Trophy, Brian M Standen Trophy and Over 60s Pairs.

It means Chippy have won three of the six Oxfordshire Indoor Bowling Association titles.

They will not be able to add to their tally, though, with the Triples final, which is yet to be played, an all-Carterton affair.

Chippy won the BBC Radio Oxford Trophy for the first time since 2015, beating reigning champions Oxford City & County at Oxford & District BC.

Martin Shepherd, Orren Bennett, David Leighfield and Shane Cooper restricted their opponents to only five singles and won the eight other ends as the contest was brought to an early conclusion.

A fortuitous shot by skip Cooper on the third end seemed to unsettle the holders, who were never allowed to gain a foothold in the match.

The Brian M Standen Trophy final was an all-Chippy affair, with Leighfield beating 2016 champion Shepherd 21-15 at their home ground.

Despite trailing 6-3 after seven ends, last-year’s runner-up Leighfield eased into the game and nervelessly secured victory.

Chippy players also enjoyed success in the Over 60s Pairs competition on home turf.

Percy Hickman and John Hurren overcame clubmates John Cox and John Benfield on the 22nd and extra end, triumphing 19-18.

They had trailed 16-11 after 15 ends, but rallied with seven unanswered shots to lead by two.

However, they were pegged back and forced to play the extra end before clinching victory.

There had also been disappointment for Cox in the singles at Oxford & District as he lost 21-19 to Othman Sharif.

The Oxford City & County player always seemed to be in control, but was forced to overcome a match-winning lie from his opponent on the 21st end to claim victory.

Joe Justin and Tim Jupp beat Bradley Squires and Andy McIntyre 15-13 to win the Cooper Autos Trophy at their home club Carterton.

Despite trailing by seven at the half-way stage, Squires and McIntyre staged a comeback to close to within one shot ahead of the final end.

But Justin coolly delivered his first wood onto the jack which resulted in a narrow victory.

Carterton will host the Triples final on April 16.