With fireworks exploding outside of the hall we all settled down for four interesting games on the mats.
Mat one had Greenwood Hawks Barry, Val and Darren playing Shillington Black’s Toni, Kevin and Bill. Blacks got started with a single only to see Hawks reply on end two with a five, following this with two singles, a double and a triple they had a 12 – 1 lead after six ends. Blacks came back on end seven for a double but Hawks reply was to take their second five of the game for a 17 – 3 lead after eight ends. End nine saw Blacks take their third end for a double, increasing their score to five. Hawks came back again, this time taking a four and a triple before Blacks could get in for another double, they followed this with a single to reduce Hawks lead to 24 – 8 with two ends to play. Hawks held onto the last two ends for a double apiece giving them a good win at 28 – 8.
Mat two and Harpenden Eagle’s Val, Barbara and Gordon were playing Potters Bar Kestrels Gill, Steve and Barry. Eagles got started with a single and followed this with a second one. Kestrels now took flight and held a three followed by a single for a 4 – 2 lead after four ends. Eagles drew level with a double then in front with two singles. Kestrels held a double on end eight and it was all square at six apiece. Eagles now held a triple for the lead, Kestrels came straight back by taking a double to get close and followed this with a triple for an 11 – 9 lead after eleven ends. Eagles came back for a single but Kestrels matched this on end thirteen to maintain their two-shot lead. Eagles held a single on the penultimate end but Kestrels held on to the last end for another single to give them their first win at 13 – 11.
Mat three saw Shillington Red’s Derek, Michelle and Trevor play St Margaret’s Mars Brian, Paul and Jeanette. Reds started well with a single. Mars came straight back for a four and a single for a 5 – 1 lead. Reds went on the attack taking a double and a single to reduce their deficit to 4 – 5 after five ends. Mars then held their second four of the game, following this with a double and three singles they were 14 – 4 up after ten ends. Reds got going again, taking two doubles and a single to pull back to 9 – 14 down. Mars replied by taking their third four of the game on the penultimate end. Mars continued by taking the last end for a single and the win at 19 – 9.
Our last mat of the evening, number four had St Margaret’s Mercury’s Teri, Steven and Roger playing Greenwood Peckers Audrey, Brian and Mark. Mercury started this game with a single. Peckers matched this on end two and then took a double. Taking a double on end four Mercury pulled it back to three all. Peckers now started a run of ends taking a four, two triples, a double and three singles they pulled away to 18 – 3 after eleven ends. Mercury fought back by taking two singles but end fourteen saw Peckers come in for a triple. Mercury held the last end for a single but Peckers had continued their unbeaten run winning 21 – 6.
Winning all six of their games Greenwood Peckers are in a strong position at the top of the table. Letchworth Lions are maintaining their second spot by virtue of a wonderful shot difference, however with three teams below them on the same eight points one slip up and it will all change. Congratulations to Potters Bar Kestrels who got their first win in the Barnet League. Next week could be a tough game for them as they are playing our table leaders Greenwood Peckers.