Barnet League week seventeen with three first division matches and two second division matches being played.
Division one
Greenwood Peckers played Shillington Black. Peckers started well by taking a single on the first end. However, Black replied and went into the lead taking a triple. Peckers pecked straight back and held a single followed by a double and regained the lead at 4 – 3 after four ends. End five and Black restored their lead with a double. Ends six and seven went for a single shot apiece, with Black holding their one shot lead at 6 – 5. Peckers then took their second double of the match and the lead swapped to them. Black took end nine for a single, followed by a further single to retake the lead. In a match that went back and forth, Peckers took a double and a single to gain a two shot lead with three ends to play. End thirteen saw Black narrow Peckers’ lead by taking a single. They followed this with a double giving them a single shot lead going into the last end. This was tightly fought, with Peckers holding on for a single shot and an eleven all draw in this close, well fought match.
St Margaret’s Rarebits played Shillington White. White got on the scorecard first taking two ends for singles. End three saw Rarebits nearest the Jack for a single, giving White a small lead at 2 – 1 after three ends. White then took a four, the only large score in this match of mainly ‘measured’ singles, to go 6 – 1 up after four ends. Rarebits now started to pull it back by taking two singles. The following four ends went alternately for a single shot each, leaving White with an 8 – 5 lead after ten ends. White then increased their lead taking a double, followed by a single, to go 11 – 5 up with three ends to play. Rarebits now started to come back taking a single and a double, to reduce White’s lead to three shots with one end to play. In a close last end, Whites Skip’s last bowl rolled in to take shot. Following yet another measure it was declared as two, giving White a good win of 13 – 8.
Letchworth Tigers played Cuffley Gin. The beginning of this match saw Tigers roar taking two singles. However, they then lost their voice, with Gin taking three singles followed by a double, to have a 5 – 2 lead after six ends. Tigers claws now came out for a double, but then retracted as Gin came in for a triple, followed by a single and a 9 – 4 lead after nine ends. Tigers started a short attack and took two singles but with Gin downing their second triple of the match, they had pulled out a lead of 12 – 6 after twelve ends. Tigers managed their last growl taking a single on end thirteen. Having got the taste for it Gin now had another triple, they followed this with a final single to take a useful win at 16 – 7.
With the top two teams drawing and the third place winning, the top of the table has just got a bit tighter. The Shillington teams could be on for first and second, however you can’t rule out Greenwood. With games in hand, Letchworth and Northiam could soon be up there in the mix as well. With three of these five teams playing next week, keep watching this space.
Division Two
Greenwood Hawks played Greenwood Eagles. Although Hawks started with a single, Eagles instantly replied and matched it with a single of their own. Ends three and four saw this repeated, so the match was level at two all after four ends. Hawks, with their prey in sight took a triple. Eagles then gained height, coming straight in for a four and the lead. Hawks now attacked, taking a double followed by a five attaining a six shot lead after eight ends. The Eagles then took a second four to reduce Hawks lead to two shots. Ends ten and eleven went for a single shot each. However at this point the Eagle Landed. With a two a shot lead, Hawks then took the last four ends for a double and three singles to give them a good win at 18 – 11.
Harpenden Blackbirds played Cuffley Tonic. In a match that Tonic dominated, Blackbirds got somewhat battered. Although, Blackbirds ‘Shrove’ for success, this Tuesday saw fizzed up Tonic start with a triple, a four and three doubles to go 13 – 0 up after five ends. Blackbirds now put a single egg in the mix followed by a double yolker. Tonic added a little fizz with a single bit of bicarb. Blackbirds threw their final egg in for a further single leaving Tonic with a 14 – 4 lead after nine ends. The last six ends saw Tonic just improve the mix, taking a single, a double, two threes and two fours and the win at 31 – 4.
With Tonic winning all of their matches so far and with only two to play, they are certainly favourites for the top spot. Hawks win now assures that they will not finish any lower than second. They still have to play each other on the 22nd and that should be an interesting match.
The five results this week did not actually cause any change of order in either table. Will that be the same again next week? Watch this space.