This, the last week of this seasons Barnet League saw the last three matches in Division One played at Greenwood and Hatfield and the game between Northiam East and St Margaret’s Rarebits awarded 15 – 0 to Northiam.
Shillington Black played Letchworth Tigers. Tigers started with a small growl by scoring a single. Black then got going taking their own single followed by a triple and a double to go 6 – 1 up after four ends. Tigers tummy now rumbled and they held on for a further single. Black again got back on the mat and took the following four ends for two singles, a double and a triple to be 13 – 2 up after nine ends. With Blacks feeling comfortable, Tigers now started to prowl back up the scoreboard. Starting with a double, they followed this with two singles. End thirteen saw Tigers still on the prowl taking another double. The last two ends and Tigers were continuing their comeback taking two final singles. However, with a score of 13 – 10 those early ends had given Blacks the win. With the two points from this game Shillington Black were now safely top of the table.
Shillington White played Northiam East. White started well taking the first end for a single. White then a went deeper shade of pale. Failing to score in the following four ends, East got the direction correct taking three singles and a double to be 5 – 1 up after five ends. White now started to come back, taking a double and a single to reduce Easts lead to 5 – 4 after seven ends. The compass now put East back on course and saw them take a double and two singles to stretch their lead to 9 – 4 after ten ends. With the compass needle wavering, White replied by getting in for a double. Restoring magnetic north, East came back by taking a single. White now gave that needle a further twist by taking a double and a single to be only one shot behind at 9 – 10 with one end to play. The last end saw many bowls surrounding the jack. However, with East having all the back woods and a good sense of direction they managed to push the jack to the back of the mat and held three. Whites last bowl rolled round the back. Although it did not hold shot it did reduce Easts lead to two shots giving them the win at 12 – 9.
St Margaret’s Rarebits played Letchworth Tigers. Tigers roared taking the first end for a triple. Rarebits reply was to take a double, they followed this with a five and a 7 – 3 lead after only three ends. Tigers then had a little growl and took a single. Rarebits replied again taking another double and a 9 – 4 lead after five ends. Tigers now with something in the tank, started their recovery with a single followed by a double. End eight was declared a tied end. However, the tank wasn’t empty yet. Taking two further doubles and a single, Tigers had turned it round with a 14 – 9 lead after eleven ends. Tigers now stopped in their tracks. With Rarebits taking a double and a triple it was level at 14 all with two ends to play. Rarebits now put on the pressure and went in the lead with a handy triple. The last end was closely fought. Following a bit of measuring, Tigers held the end for three shots giving them a draw at 17 all.
The above three games bring this season’s Barnet League to its conclusion. Congratulations to Shillington Black who hold the top spot. Second in a closely fought First Division are Northiam East who just pushed Greenwood Peckers into third place due to a slightly better shot difference.