HERTFORDSHIRE COUNTY

SHORT MAT BOWLING ASSOCIATION

Hertfordshire County Short Mat Bowling Association News story


Barnet League Week Three

01 Oct 2024

The Barnet League is now up and running, week three should have seen five mats in use but unfortunately Shillington Red had to postpone this week’s match due to illness. The remaining four matches were all played.

Mat one had Shillington Black’s Kevin, Toni and Bill playing St Margaret’s Mars Paul, Derek and Jeanette. Blacks got this game started by taking a single, they followed this with a triple and a further single for a 5 – 0 lead after three ends. End four and Mars went to war by taking a double, they then upped their energy level and took two further doubles to have the lead at 6 – 5 after six ends. Blacks fought back on end seven by taking a single to level the game. They followed this with two further singles, a double and a sixth single for an 11 – 6 lead with four ends to play. Mars energy increased again, they took a double to be within three shots of Black. Black replied, taking a single on end thirteen to be 12 – 8 up  with two ends to play. Mars put on the pressure taking a double on the penultimate end and had pulled back to only two shots behind. The last end was a close fight and Mars was successful again. However they only managed to hold a single giving Shillington Black the close win at 12 – 11.

Mat three and Greenwood Peckers Sue, Wendy and Mark played Harpenden Eagles Barbara, Denise and Brian. Eagles flew in and took the first end for a single, Peckers replied by taking a double. Eagles then soared above, taking two doubles they had a 5 – 2 lead after four ends. End five and Peckers pecked, feeling refreshed they held a five and took the lead at 7 – 5. Eagles regrouped, taking a single and increased in height to regain the lead with a double. Peckers came straight back for a single and it was eight all after eight ends. Peckers followed this with a further single, they then held a triple and a third single to go 13 – 8 up after eleven ends. Eagles soared again and took their first triple of this game. Peckers got their heads down, they  took a single on end thirteen, followed it with a double and continued the run by taking a single on the last end for a 17 – 11 win.

Mat four and Greenwood Hawks Barry, Val and Darren were playing Northiam East’s Jan, Mike and Martin. Hawks started well taking two singles. East then matched this by taking two singles of their own. They followed this with a mighty four for a 6 – 2 lead after five ends. Hawks came back by taking a single on end six only to see East reply by taking a triple the following end for a 9 – 3 lead. With the following two ends going for a single apiece, East were maintaining their six-shot lead. Hawks fought back and halved their deficit by taking a single followed by a double. East got some direction and took a triple on end twelve to restore their six-shot lead. Hawks got control of the mat again and took a single only to see East increase their lead and take a double on end fourteen. The last end and Hawks came back by taking a final single, however East had managed to hold onto that six-shot lead and took the win at 15 – 9.

Mat five, the last of this evenings play had Letchworth Lions Lisa, Andrew and Alan H playing St Margaret’s Mercury’s Terri, Rebecca and Darren. Lions started this game by taking a single. Mercury took the lead on the second end by taking a triple. Lions roared and instantly matched this with their own triple to regain the lead. Lions then pushed their advantage, taking five singles, a double and a triple they had a 14 – 3 lead after ten ends. Lions then roared again and held a magnificent five on end eleven. Mercury held on to the following two ends for singles but the damaged had been done.  Lions matched these by taking a double on the penultimate end. The last end saw the temperature go up and, with Mercury rising they held the last end for a double. Letchworth Lions however had the win at 21 – 7.

So, this weeks results have no effect on the top of our table. Our top three teams remain the same and are now the only ones not to have lost a game. Shillington Black have a game in hand, so the top of the table is very tight. Letchworth Lions win sees them gain two places. We only have three matches next week however two of our top three will be playing so there could be some changes to the top of the table next week. If you feel you need some practice then there will be plenty of space on the roll up mats. See you all next week.