Barnet League week sixteen and four of the scheduled five matches were played this week with the fifth being conceded.
Division one
Cuffley Gin didn’t play Letchworth Tigers. Cuffley Gin were unable to field a team this week due to illness and conceded their game at the set rate of 0 – 15.
Northiam East played Greenwood Peckers. Peckers got off to a really good start this week. They didn’t peck, they gobbled starting with a double followed by three singles, a triple, a further single and a double to be 11 – 0 up after seven ends. East then found some sense of direction and came in for two doubles reducing Peckers lead to 11 – 4. With both teams taking a single Peckers had the lead at 12 – 5 after eleven ends. Peckers now held two ends for a single each and the lead of 14 – 5 with two ends to play. East held on to the last two ends for singles but the damage had been done with Peckers winning 14 – 7.
Shillington Black played St Margaret’s Rarebits. Rarebits started this match with a single. Black came straight back in for a single followed by a four and the lead at 5 – 1. Rarebits replied with a flurry taking a double and two singles to level the match at five all after six ends. The next five ends saw Black push forward taking three doubles, a single and a triple to go 15 – 5 up after eleven ends. Rarebits came in for a double but with Black replying with a single they still had a nine shot lead with two ends to play. End fourteen saw Rarebits take a further single but with Black taking the last end for a double they had a good win at 18 – 8.
Division two
Shillington Red played Harpenden Robins. With the wind blowing and Robins with their heads under their wings, Reds got the early worm taking a triple and two singles before Robins awoke to get on the card with a single. Red then came straight back taking a double and two more singles to be 9 – 1 up after seven ends. Although end eight saw Robins rise up for a single, Red replied taking yet another triple to go 12 – 2 up after nine ends. Robins fluttered again taking another single. Red again struck taking a double but this time Robins gained more height and took a double of their own. With Robins now returning to the nest, Red took the last three ends for a double and two singles giving them the win at 18 – 5.
St Margaret’s Wizards played Greenwood Hawks. Those eagle-(wrong team)-eyed Hawks got the thermals under the wings and soared in taking a triple, a five and a double to go 10 – 0 up after only three ends. Wizards then put a newt in the pot and conjured up a single. Hawks gained height and took a four. Wizards now added to the pot and took a double. Hawks soared again for a triple. Adjusting the recipe, Wizards took a further double to which Hawks replied taking a single. End ten saw Wizards add a further newt to the pot and take a single to reduce Hawks lead to 18 – 6. With Wizards having run out of ingredients, Hawks climbed even higher taking three singles, a double and a four. With very little turbulence Hawks had the win at 27 – 6.
Division one sees Shillington Black winning again. The Cup is now within their grasp. The rest of the table is yet to be decided. With five more weeks to go the battle for the lower positions is getting interesting. Division two and Cuffley Tonic look to be in a strong position. Could there be an upset and Greenwood Hawks soar above them? Watch this space next week for another thrilling instalment.