Barnet League week eighteen with two first division matches and two second division matches being played.
Division one
Shillington White played Northiam East. The first end saw White start well taking a double. East came straight back taking a well-directed single. White then attacked again. With East facing west, White took a triple to go 5 – 1 up after three ends. While East was trying to recalibrate their compass, White sneaked in another double and all was looking good for a pure win. East then started back on the right track by taking a single. White replied taking a further single to go 8 – 2 up after six ends. East then checked the map and with the course set on shortest, took a four and got much closer to their destination, being only 8 – 6 down after seven ends. The following two ends went for a single apiece with White maintaining their two shot lead. End ten and East were looking west again as White took a further double to increase their lead to four shots. East got back on course, taking a double followed by a single and they had narrowed White’s lead to one shot with three ends to play. East’s direction now wavered as White took ends thirteen and fourteen for singles, giving them a three shot lead with one end to play. The last end saw White with two bowls on the jack when, with an easterly-aimed shot, their number two sent the jack flying towards the back of the mat and holding several shots. White’s skip then pushed the shot bowl to the edge of the mat and held shot in its place. Easts skip’s last bowl came down with a sense of direction and pushed White’s bowl out of place to take shot. The number twos declared it as three shots to East with a measure for the fourth. After a tense measure it was declared as three only, making it a draw at thirteen all.
St Margaret’s Rarebits played Letchworth Tigers. Rarebits got sizzling by taking the first end for a triple. Tigers then got on the prowl and took a single followed by a double to level the match at three all after three ends. Rarebits then warmed up and took two further singles to go 5 – 3 up after five ends. Tigers, now sensing their prey took the next five ends for singles to go 8 – 5 up with five ends to play. Rarebits then reduced the heat and took a single. Tigers now turned up the heat. Rarebits went from blue to over done as they went down for a four, followed by a three to be 6 – 15 down with two ends to play. The last two ends saw the addition of a little seasoning with both teams taking a single. With Rarebits slightly overcooked, Tigers had a feast with the win at 16 – 7.
Division two
Cuffley Tonic played St Margaret’s Wizards. Wizards got their wands prepared and took the first end for a single but Tonic shook themselves up and took the second end for a five. Wizards now raised their wands and took two singles to reduce Tonics lead to 5 – 3 after four ends. With no spells left and broomsticks grounded Wizards unfortunately failed to take any further ends. Tonic now showed why they are top of this division taking five singles, four doubles and two fours giving them the win at 26 – 3.
Harpenden Blackbirds played Harpenden Robins. Robins got the early worms taking the first three ends for singles. Blackbirds then started to sing and took a swift single. Digging down, Robins found a double to go 5 – 1 up after five ends. Blackbirds started a chorus and took a single followed by a double to close the gap to 4 – 5. Robins rubbed their breasts by taking a double and a three shot lead. Blackbirds had a small chirp for a single but Robins dug in for two more doubles and increased their lead to 11 – 5 with four ends to play. Blackbirds’ chorus now raised to a crescendo, taking two singles and two doubles to level the match at 11 all.
Congratulations to Cuffley Tonic. Having won every match so far and only one to play they are now Second Division Winners. Greenwood Hawks are now secure in second place. The top of the First Division just got a bit tighter this week. Three teams could be on for the win, and five could be on for second place. So all to play for,