Hello to all our Barnet League and now Barnet Cup match followers. Last night (07^th November) saw the first round of our new Barnet Cup competition being played at Hatfield on four mats. This exciting new competition with a unique format was played with enthusiasm by our first eight teams. The rules are on the website but basically each pair of teams played two games of seven ends consecutively on the same mat. If at the end of the two games it was a draw then a three end decider was played with different rules. Each player only uses one bowl. Touchers do not count. Any bowl entering the ditch will be removed with the exception of the jack

Northiam East’s Mike, Martin and Jan player Shillington Red’s Derek, Carol and Neil. Game one, East started strongly by taking a four and following this with a three they were already 7 – 0 up in the seven end game. Red’s then held a single but East replied by taking end four for a triple and followed it with a single to go 11 – 1 up with two ends to play. Red’s held the penultimate end for a triple and followed this with a double. So East had won game. The second game of seven ends immediately followed. East got going again but this time only taking singles for the first two ends. End three saw Red’s hold a triple and take the lead. East then held a double followed by two singles to be 6 – 3 up with one end to play. Red’s now needed a four on the last end to win in order to force a tie breaker. Red’s played well and held a double. However with two wins, Northiam East go through to the second round.

Shillington Black’s Trevor, Michelle and Julia played Greenwood Peckers Audrey, Brian and Mark. Peckers started well taking two singles, they followed this with a double and were 4 – 0 up after three ends. Black pulled back taking end four for a double. Peckers held on to end five for a single. Black then held end six for a single. Blacks also won the last end of the first game for a single giving Peckers a close win at 5 – 4. The second game started with Peckers holding two singles. End three saw Black level it by taking a double. Peckers then held end four for a triple, followed by a second triple, a double and finishing with a four. Winning both games sees Peckers go through to the next round.

Northiam West’s Margaret, Brian and Jeff played Harpenden Eagles Pauline, Denise and Trevor. West started the first game by taking a double followed by a single. Eagles then got running, taking two doubles followed by three singles they had won the first game 7 – 3. West started the second game by taking a triple which Eagles instantly matched. West then took the lead with a single, following this with two triples and a further single they had an unbeatable 11 – 3 lead after six ends. With a win apiece a tie breaker had to be played to decide this match. The first end saw Eagles get closest to the jack. Repeating this on the second end gave Eagles the win and put them through to the next round.

St Margaret’s Mars Tony, Derek and Brian played Letchworth Pumas Andrew, Alan S and Alan H. Mars started well taking a single followed by a double and a further single. Pumas held end four for a double but with Mars holding end five for another single they had a 5 – 2 lead with two ends to play. Pumas then reduced Mars lead by taking a second double. The last end saw Mars take a single and the win at 6 – 4. The second game and Mars took the lead with a single. Pumas then levelled it with a single of their own. Mars came back on end three for the lead with a double. Pumas held end four for a triple and went into the lead at 4 – 3. They then extended their lead taking a single on end five. The lead changed again on end six with Mars holding a triple to go 6 – 5 up with one end to play. The last end of the second game saw Pumas take a double and the win at 7 – 6. We had the second draw and a tie break of the evening. The first end of the tie break was taken by Mars. With the second end also going Mars way they had the win and go through to the second round.

What an exciting evening with two of our four matches going down to the wire. The draw for the second round which will be played on the 28^th of November is now on the website. There is also a plate competition running for those unfortunate enough not to get through to the semi-finals. The first of these matches between Shillington Red and Letchworth Pumas will also be played on the 28^th. The draw for the rest of the plate competition will be made following the second round.