Last night Hatfield was buzzing, not only did we have five Barnet League matches, the roll up mat was also in use. As it is half-term, parking was a little easier and we had early access to the hall and all the mats were out and ready to go as all our players were arriving.
Mat one had our match between the only two teams yet to drop a game. We had Greenwood Peckers Audrey, Brian and Mark playing Northiam East’s Jeff, Jan and Martin. With both teams raring to go it was Peckers that held the first end for a double. East came straight back by taking a singe on the second end. Peckers took the mat straight back, holding a double on end three and following this with a four they had pulled out an 8 – 1 lead after four ends. East got their heads down and held a double on end five however Peckers took the following two ends for singles for a 10 – 3 lead at the halfway stage. East got some direction, taking a triple on end eight they had reduced the deficit to 6 – 10. With the following two ends going for a double apiece Peckers were maintaining their four-shot lead at 12 – 8 after ten ends. Peckers them pulled further in front with two singles. East came back taking a single and following this with a triple they had pulled it back to 12 – 14 with one end to play. Peckers took control of the mat on the last end, taking a triple to win 17 – 12, leaving them as the only team in the league to have won all of their games to date.
Mat two had Fairfield AFC Falcons Gill, Neil and Bev playing Shillington Black’s Tony, Paul and Julia. Blacks got on the mat and took control, taking a single followed by a triple and a double they were 6 – 0 up after three ends. Falcons then held the mat for a single to which Blacks replied by taking a double for a 9 – 2 lead. Falcons now upped their game, starting with a single they followed this with a double, a further single and a triple to pull it back to 9 all after eleven ends. Blacks then got their heads down with lead and number two swapping places. They slipped back into the lead with a single on end twelve and followed this with two further singles to be 12 – 9 up going into the last end. The last end had Falcons fight hard looking for the win, they were holding well but Blacks managed to cut it down to only a single giving Blacks another win at 12 – 10.
Mat three and Letchworth Lions Alan S, Andrew and Alan H played Greenwood Hawks Barry, Val and Darren. Hawks started well with a double and followed this with a single. Lions took the mat on end three for a triple and it was all square. They followed this with a single for the lead on end four only to see Hawks regain the lead with a double on end five. Lions replied on end six with a second single and it was evens at five all. Hawks then took the mat, taking a double and a triple they had doubled their score to go in the lead at 10 – 5. With the following two ends going for a single apiece, Hawks were maintaining their five-shot lead. Lions then started a short run taking two doubles and a single, they had pulled it back to 11 all with two ends to play. The penultimate end had Hawks hold a single. With all to play for the last end was hard fought, Hawks held on for a single and the win at 13 – 11.
Mat four and our new team Potters Bar Kestrels team of Jill, Barry and Steve were playing St Margaret’s Mars team of Brian, Jim and Jeanette. Kestrels took the first end with a great triple. Mars replied by taking a double then drew level with a single, following this with a double and a four Mars had a 9 – 3 lead after five ends. End six and Kestrels pulled one back with a single. Mars then matched this but Kestrels held a double and followed it with a single to reduce Mars lead to 10 – 7 after nine ends. The following two ends went for a single apiece and Kestrels were keeping it close. Mars then held yet another single and followed this with a double increasing their lead to 14 – 8 with two ends to play. Kestrels swooped in for a single on the penultimate end winning their sixth end of the game. Mars fought back on the last end and managed to hold a single giving them the win at 15 – 9.
Our fifth mat had Shillington Red’s Derek, Michelle and Trevor playing Harpenden Eagles Brian, Sue and Gordon. Reds had a good start by taking a double on the first end. Eagles then gained height and took a run of ends. Taking five singles and two fours they had a good lead of 13 – 2 after eight ends. Reds got going again by taking two singles only to see this matched by Eagles taking a double on end eleven. Reds pushed again and held another single on end twelve. Eagles then gained some height and swooped in for two more singles. Reds fought back on the last end and held their fourth single of the game to reduce Eagles win to 17 – 6.
Our Barnet League is now well under way, with ten of our eleven teams playing this week we have seen some small movements in the table. Greenwood Peckers top the table and are the only team to have won all their games. Letchworth Lions are sitting in second spot but having played one extra game and with two teams biting at their heels how long can they stay there. Special mention must go to Potters Bar Kestrels with their best result so far in their first season with Hertfordshire. Will there be fireworks next week? Will Lions lose their second place, will Kestrels get their first win. Watch this space.