Hello to all Hertfordshire bowlers, our last week of this extended Barnet League covering 2019,2020, something called a pandemic and 2021 has finally come to its conclusion. At Hatfield last night two first division teams played for mid table positions whilst three second division matches found three teams fighting hard for the top three places.
The last game in the first division saw Letchworth Dragons playing St Margaret’s Rarebits. Dragons took the first two ends to take a 4 – 0 lead. Rarebit’s came back with a single and a four to take a slim lead. The next two ends were shared leaving the score level at six shots each after six ends. Dragons then took the lead with a two, although Rarebits took the following for a single, Dragons slowly pulled in front with Rarebits only taking one more end for a single. Dragons won 17 – 8. This win moved Dragons up the table to take the third spot.
St Margaret’s Wizards played Shillington White. White’s were sitting at third place in the table and looking for a win to secure the possibility of a promotion to the first division. White started well taking the first two ends to go 3- 0 up. Wizards came back taking the next two ends to level the score at 3 all. Whites then took a two and a single with Wizards taking two singles, so after eight ends Whites had a small lead of 6-5. The next three ends saw Wizards take three shots and Whites coming back to take two. After eleven ends the score was level at 8 all. Wizards took the following two ends, although Whites then took a single, Wizards took one on the last end, winning the match 12-9. This left Whites in third place.
Shillington Red played Greenwood Hawks. Red took the first end for a single, Hawks replied with a two but Reds then came straight back to level the score at 2 all after three ends. The next two ends saw both teams take a two, the score was now four all. Another two ends and the match is still level at five all. Hawks took the eighth end for a single to take a small lead. In a match of singles and two’s, Reds then took the nineth end for a four to take a three shot lead. With the biggest gap between the teams so far, Hawks instantly replied with a five to reverse the position and take a two shot lead. However, although Reds came back with a single, Hawks then took a three. Reds took end thirteen for a two but Hawks took the last two ends for a single each to win the match with a final score of 16-12.
Shillington Black played Letchworth Tigers. This was the big one. With both teams level at 19 points each whoever won would top the table. Tigers started by taking the first five ends for six shots. However end six saw Blacks take four shots from the Tigers to reduce the lead to two. Tigers then took two of the next three ends to go 9-5 up. In a reversal Blacks then took two of the following three ends. However they were still slightly behind with Tigers having an 11-8 lead with two ends remaining. The last two ends were both won by ‘Alan the Magnificent’s’ Tigers giving then a 16-8 win and top place in the Second Division. Blacks held on to second place, so now we know that both these teams will be promoted. Look out those of you in the first division. Two strong teams are now biting at your heels.
With this extended season now at an end our thanks should go to Margaret Hare. Not only has she ‘Magnificently’ planned and run this competition, she has also successfully rearranged matches when various problems have been put in the way.
Whilst we should of course, all be congratulating Cuffley Gin and Letchworth Tigers can we all make sure that we show a lot of appreciation for Margaret who, as I sit writing this is sitting at home planning out the schedule for the next seasons matches. Watch this website for the new fixture lists which will be published very shortly. The new season 2021/2022 (NO ITS NOT GOING TO RUN OVER TO 2023 THIS TIME) is planned to commence on Tuesday the 19th October. See you all soon, your match reporter.