BAR 314’s recent dominance of the Weymouth Sunday League is under threat from new boys Aura.

The reigning Premiership, Len Mahoney Cup and annual six-a-side champions appeared to be cruising to a second league title in succession before the Christmas break but the New Year has suddenly heralded a serious challenge to their throne.

A six-point lead and a 100 per cent record in the Premiership seemed to indicate they were in complete command at the end of 2013, but a 3-1 defeat to Aura in the latest round of matches, has now thrown up a bit of a question mark.

Bar 314 still hold a game in hand on the Esplanade outfit but with just three points now separating the two sides in the table, and a further league meeting between the pair to come, the quest for the crown appears to be back to a two-horse race.

Aura adapted to the heavy conditions at Redlands a lot better than the league leaders and duly opened the scoring through Sean Zima, who ghosted in at the back post and made no mistake with the finish.

However, despite that breakthrough, the game remained scrappy and just before half-time Bar 314 levelled.

Mike Stone tried his luck from outside the box and when the Aura keeper could only parry the ball there was Carl McClements to score on the rebound.

Aura knew only a win would do and, after the break, that extra bit of desire appeared to give them the edge. Bar 314 continued to battle hard but further strikes from Teejay Smith-McFarlane and Zima eventually settled matters.

Not only were there four goals in that game but that particular number was also significant in the rest of the fixtures.

Market House drew 2-2 with Broadmayne, Lazy Lizard and Famous Old Spa both won 4-2 against Alexandra and Sailors Return respectively, and Moby Dick’s drew 4-4 with Britannia.

Stu Burley (2), Adam Dell and Simon True were the men on target for the Brit while James Aldom and Jason Razzell both bagged braces for the Moby.

RESULTS

Weymouth Sunday League Premiership: Lazy Lizard 4 Alexandra 2, Market House 2 Broadmayne 2, Moby Dick’s 4 Britannia 4, Bar 314 1 Aura 3, Sailors Return 2 Famous Old Spa 4.

FIXTURES

Aura v Sailors Return (Redlands), Bakers Arms v Bar 314 (St Osmund’s School), Broadmayne v Moby Dick’s (Broadmayne Playing Field), Alexandra v Market House (Budmouth College), Dolphin v Lady Lizard (Redlands).