Barnet League week fifteen and four of the scheduled five matches were played this week.
Division one
Letchworth Tigers played Shillington White. Tigers took the first end for a double with White coming straight back to level the match with a double of their own. Tigers then took two singles and a small lead. White again took a double and were all square at four shots apiece after five ends. Tigers now came out of the tank and took three singles. White replied by taking two singles to be only one shot down after ten ends. After having their breakfast and declaring they were “great”, Tigers came on strongly for a four. White meekly took a single. However, Tigers roared “Gr-r-reat” again and took a five and a 16 – 7 lead. They followed this with a more demure single. The last end saw White hang on for a hard fought double but Tigers with a full tank had the win at 17 – 9 .
Shillington Black played Cuffley Gin. Gin made a good start in this match by taking two singles followed by a triple. Black then held end four for a single, with Gin taking a further triple and an 8 – 1 lead after five ends. Black replied by taking a double but Gin pulled back by taking a single of their own. Black then took two singles but were still 9 – 5 down after nine ends. Ends ten and eleven saw both sides take a double. Gin were holding on to their four shot lead at 11 – 7 after eleven ends. Gin increased their lead taking a further single on end twelve. Black then fought back strongly taking end thirteen for a triple and reducing Gin’s lead to two shots. The penultimate end saw Gin take a single and improve their lead to 13 – 10. The last end saw the jack enter the ditch. Holding three for a draw, black’s last bowl of the match approached the ditch line and gave them the forth shot required for the win at 14 – 13.
Division two
Greenwood Eagles played Shillington Red. Taking the first eight ends, Eagles soared high in this match by taking three singles, three doubles, a triple and a four. Giving them a 16 – 0 lead. Red then got on the card and held end nine for a single. Eagles replied by soaring ever higher and taking a five to go 21 – 1 up with four ends to play. Red then held on for their second end of the match for a single. Eagles gained more height, taking the next three ends for singles. Red held on to take the last end for their third single of this match, which saw Eagles take an impressive win at 24 – 3.
Harpenden Robins played Cuffley Tonic. Tonic started well by taking a single and a four before Robins took a small worm and gained a single. Tonic now showed what a bit of effervescence can do, by taking two singles, three doubles and two triples and a healthy lead of 19 – 1 after ten ends. Robins then got off the ground. Taking all of Tonic’s bubbles they held a four on end eleven. Tonic then shook themselves up and came straight back for a four, followed by a single and a double to hold a lead of 26 – 5 going into the last end. Although Robins came back for a single on the last end, Tonic had the win at 26 – 6.
Shillington Black’s win has reinforced their position at the top of Division One. Tigers win has seen them move up the table, with a few games in hand they could be vying for one of the top spots in a few weeks time. Tonic’s unbeaten run and impressive shot difference of 101, makes them clear favourites to win the Second Division. Hawks are favourites for second spot, although mathematically the top spot could still be theirs. Next week sees six of our Division one teams playing, with White having a rest, they could start slipping down the table. Watch this space.