The Barnet League is progressing well, last night was the twentieth week and we had five mats in use for games and the sixth rollup mat had a full complement of eight bowlers enhancing their skills ready for their next game. With all our top five teams playing are we going to see any alterations at the top of our table?
Mat one had Harpenden Eagles Beryl, Denise and Brian playing Shillington Red’s Tom, Carol and Neil. This game started with Reds taking a double. Eagles rose to the challenge, taking a single followed by a double and a treble they had a 6 – 2 lead after four ends. Red’s came back taking a single on ends five and six. Eagles attacked again and took another single on end seven. Red’s dug in, holding a triple on end eight it was all square at seven all. After declaring a tied end it was still all square after nine ends. Eagles rose again taking a single and a double they pulled out a three-shot lead. Reds reduced the deficit with a double on end twelve but Eagles matched this on end thirteen to maintain their three-shot lead. Reds pulled back taking a single on end fourteen and following this with a final single on the last end. However Eagles had their fourth win of the season with the close score of 12 – 11.
Mat two and Northiam East’s Mike, Jan and Martin were challenging out table leaders Greenwood Peckers team of Audrey Brian and Mark. Peckers started as champions should with a double. East started their campaign by going straight into the lead with a triple. Peckers regrouped and leveled it on end three with a single. With the following two ends going for a single apiece it was four all after five ends. East now edged ahead with a double, Peckers replied with a single but East matched this the following end to maintain their two shot lead. Again, Peckers pulled back with a single but this time East held a double for a 9 – 6 lead after ten ends. Peckers fought back, taking two singles to reduce East’s lead to one shot. Ent thirteen and East attacked again, taking a double followed by a second double they had a 13 – 8 lead with one end to play. Peckers pushed again and held a double on the final end but East had become only the second team to beat the Peckers this season with the win at 13 – 10.
Mat three had our two mid table teams playing each other. We had Shillington |Black’s Paul, Tony and Julia playing Fairfield Falcon’s Gordon, Neil and Bev. Blacks started strongly with a triple. Falcons replied by taking a single and followed this with a second single. Blacks pushed and took a single on end four but Falcons pushed harder and took the lead at 5 - 4 with a triple on end five. Blacks pushed again for a single on end six and it was all square. Falcons matched this single on end seven and followed it with another single on end eight. Blacks pushed pack, holding their second triple of the game they retook the lead at 8 – 7 after nine ends. Falcons came straight back to level it again with a single, they then took the lead with a further single. Following this with their second triple of the game they had a 12 – 8 lead with three ends to play. Blacks regrouped and took the following end for a single. They followed this with another single on the penultimate end. The last end was hard fought and Blacks held on for their third single in a row but Falcons had the win at 12 – 11.
Mat four had two of our table leaders playing each other. Greenwood Hawks Angie, Barry and Darren played Letchworth Lions Lisa, Andrew and Alan Hare. Hawks started this game with a double and followed it with a stunning five. Lions went on the attack, taking a triple and following this with a single. Hawks swooped in for a triple and a 10 – 4 lead after five ends. Lions went on the prowl and held a single but Hawks instantly matched this. Hawks followed this with two doubles, got their talons out for a triple and followed that with another double and a 20 – 5 lead after eleven ends. Lions fought on with four ends to play. They started with a single and followed this with a triple. Continuing the run they took their first double of the game and finished on a single. Although Lions had pulled back seven shots Hawks had the win at 20 – 12.
Mat five had our lowest team on the scoresheet Potters Bar Kestrels Bernice, Pam and Mike playing St Margaret’s Mercury’s Terry, Lyn and Stephen. Mercury started with a single and followed this with a double and a second single for a 4 – 0 lead. Kestrels went on the attack by taking a double, they followed this with two singles to level the score. They then held two more singles and had the lead at 6 – 4 after eight ends. Mercury held a single on end nine but kestrels matched this to maintain their two-shot lead after ten ends. Mercury got closer again with a single but then took the lead with a four on end twelve. Kestrels got back within one shot by holding a double on end thirteen. Mercury attacked again and matched Kestrels double. Following this with a single on the last end they took the win at 13 – 9 in this close game.
Well what a week we had some close games there. Both Shillington teams lost by a single shot. Greenwood Peckers lost only their second game of the season. Greenwood Hawks win moves them up to second spot. Potters Bar Kestrels had a really good close game against St Margaret’s. Can Hawks catch and even overtake their stablemates Peckers, as Hawks have two games in hand anything could happen. With Letchworth Lions and Northiam East not far behind the top of table could change every week ! Come back next week to see how our exciting table develops after the next four games when four of our top five are playing again.