Happy New Year to all our Barnet League players and followers, we hope you all had a wonderful Christmas and are now fit and ready for this important competition that is our Barnet League. This week we had eight teams at Hatfield trying to improve their position in this prestigious league. Two of these games were derby matches, read on to see how they all went.
Mat one had our new team Potters Bar Kestrels Pam, Steve and Dave playing Harpenden Eagles Barbara, Denise and Brian. Kestrels got off to a good start with a single they followed this with two doubles and a second single to be 6-0 up after four ends. Eagles then started to pull back, they held a single followed by two doubles and were within one shot of Kestrels. End eight saw Kestrels hold another single, they then held a magnificent five and followed this with a double to be 14 – 5 up after ten ends. Eagles held on to end eleven for a single but Kestrels pulled further ahead with a double. Eagles took another single only to see Kestrels hold their fifth double of this game. Eagles held onto the last end for a final single but Kestrels had taken their second win this season with a good score of 18 – 8.
Mat two had a St Margaret’s derby. We had Mercury’s Terri, Stephen and Roger playing Mars Tony, Brian and Jeanette. Mercury started well with a triple, Mars then held two singles, Mercury replied by taking a double for a 5 – 2 lead after four ends. Mars fought back, taking their first triple of the game it was evens at five all. In this hard-fought game both teams now took a double and it was seven all after seven ends. Mercury now started a run of ends, taking a double and four singles they had a 13 – 7 lead after twelve ends. Mars reduced their deficit by taking a triple on end thirteen. Mercury fought back, taking a four on end fourteen and finishing on a double they had the win at 19 – 10.
Mat three had our second derby of the evening, we had league leaders Peckers Audrey, Brian and Mark playing club mates Hawks Barry, Val and Darren. Peckers started with a single which Hawks instantly matched. Peckers pulled in the lead with a triple, Hawks replied with a double followed by a single and it was all square at four all after five ends. Peckers held a double only to see hawks match it on end seven and it was level again at six all. Hawks held a single but peckers pulled ahead with a double, they followed this with a triple and a single and had pulled out a 12 – 7 lead with four ends to play. Hawks came straight back into the game with a triple on end twelve. Peckers replied for a single and had a 13 – 10 lead with two ends to go. The Hawks then took the lead with a four on the penultimate end. One shot behind and our League leaders Greenwood Peckers fought hard, taking a double on the last end for their eleventh win this season at 15 – 14.
Mat four and Northiam East’s Mike, Jeff and Martin played Shillington Red’s Tom, Carol and Neil. Reds started with a single which East instantly matched. Reds started a short run of three singles for a 4 – 1 lead. End six and East held a triple and it was level at four all. The following two ends went for a single apiece and it was five all after eight ends. Reds now had a run of three ends, taking a single followed by a double and a triple they pulled out a lead of 11 – 5 after eleven ends. East pushed hard, taking a four on end twelve to reduce Reds lead to 11 – 9 with three ends to play. Reds fought back taking the following two ends for singles they had a four-shot lead going into the last end. East managed to win the last end for a double but Reds had the win at 13 – 11.
Well, what a way to start the new year. Greenwood Peckers, our league leaders have increased their lead to seven shots above second place Letchworth Lions. Can they be caught?, there is still time. Potters Bar Kestrels who have been propping up the bottom of the table all season took their second win, beating Eagles they are now within one shot of them and have a game in hand ! The only movement in the table this week was the result of the St Margaret’s derby. Mercury’s win sees them overtake their club mates Mars. What will happen next week? Potters Bar Kestrels have two matches next Tuesday to catch up on a missing game. Can they overtake Eagles? Watch this space next week.