The Barnet League continued this week with one game in the first division and two in the second.
Division One
Northiam East’s team of Jeff, Mike and Rosa played Letchworth Tiger’s Margaret, David M and David G. Tigers started with a roar and took a double on the first end. East came back for a single but Tigers roared again taking another double and two singles to go 6 – 1 up after five ends. East then got some direction back taking end seven for a double. With the following two ends going for a single apiece it was 7 – 4 in Tigers favour after eight ends. Ends nine and ten again went for a single apiece. East’s sense of direction now improved, taking two singles and a double they had levelled the match after twelve ends and took the lead with a single on end thirteen. Tigers now filled their tank, roared and took the last two ends for a single and a double and took their first win of the season at 11 – 9.
Division Two
Harpenden Eagle’s Denise, Beryl and Valerie played Shillington Red’s Tom, Carol and Neil. Reds got this match started with two singles and followed this with a double. Eagles soared and watched from above as Red’s continued taking a further single, two triples and two doubles to have a 15 – 0 lead after eight ends. Eagles talons retracted further as Reds continued their attack, mercilessly taking three more singles and two more doubles they were 22 – 0 up with two ends to play. At this point Eagles saw Red, getting their talons back out they took the last two ends for singles and avoided the whitewash. Reds getting a substantial win at 22 – 2
Letchworth Puma’s Mike, Andrew and Alan played St Margaret’s Wizards Jim, Brian and Tony. Wizards started taking the first end for a double. Pumas then stealthily attacked, taking two doubles and two singles they were 6 – 2 up after five ends. Wizards conjured up a single, but with Pumas fighting back for a double they had an 8 – 3 lead after seven ends. With the following two ends going for a single each Pumas were maintaining their five shot lead. Wizards then waved the wand and held a four to reduce Pumas advantage to a single shot. Pumas then went back on the prowl, taking a single and a double they had extended their lead to four shots with three ends to play. Wizards got the wand out again, threw another frog in the cauldron and held a single and a double to be back within one shot with one end play. Pumas sharpened their claws, taking the last end for a single they had the win at 13 – 11.
After eighteen weeks of play division one is wide open, any of the top three teams could win although mathematically, it could be any of the first five teams. Congratulations go to Tigers who have at last broken their duck. Can they climb out of the relegation zone?.
Division two saw Reds take another strong win which ensures them top spot and promotion next year to the first division. Our sympathies lie with Eagles who were beaten by a team who are definitely at the top of their game. With the two Letchworth teams fighting for second spot they need to look below them at Blues who could easily catch and overtake them.
Next week sees the top two teams in division one playing each other and the three contenders for second place playing in division two. See you all next week as the competition hots up and we enter the final stages of this intense competition.