This week we had four games at Hatfield. The hall was full of people with all six mats down and plenty of bowlers using both roll up mats. We had both St Margaret’s teams and both Shillington teams on the mats. Let’s see how the evening panned out
On mat one we had St Margaret's Mars Tony, Brian and Jeanette playing Northiam East's Mike, Martin and Jeff. Mars got in first taking a triple on the first end. East came back for a double and followed this with a single and it was all square after three ends. Mars attacked again and held a single on end four. East levelled the game again with a single but then started a run of ends, taking four more singles they pulled out an 8 - 4 lead after nine ends. Mars hit back on end ten, they took a triple and followed this with a single and it was level again at eight all with four ends to play. East came back for a single but Mars matched this on end thirteen and it was still level with two to play. East took the lead again with a single then managed to hold on for a final single on the last end and the win at 11 - 9.
Mat two had St Margaret's Mercury's Terri, Stephen and Roger playing Fairfield Falcon's Gordon, Gill and Bev. Mercury started this game with a single. Falcons matched this on end two and followed this with two further singles and a four for a 7 - 1 lead after five ends. Mercury fought back with a single then went level with a stunning five, they followed this with a double and a single and had turned round being 1 - 7 down to a 10 - 7 lead. Falcons got stuck in and took three singles and game on it was ten all with three ends to play. Mercury put their heads down they took a single and followed this with a double, finishing of with a four they had pulled it back for a good win at 17 - 10.
Mat three and Shillington Black's Paul, Tony and Julia were playing our league leaders Greenwood Peckers Sue, Wendy and Mark. Blacks got started with a single and continued with a second single. Peckers came back on end three for a single and followed this with a double for the lead at 3 - 2. Their lead was short lived as Blacks fought back and took a five on end five. Following this with a second five Blacks had pulled out a 12 - 3 lead after just six ends. Peckers started a comeback with a single and followed this with a four. They continued with a double to reduce their deficit to 10 - 12 after nine ends. Blacks got back on the mat and increased their lead with a single and followed this with a double. End twelve saw the Jack edge towards the side of the mat and was then taken of by Mark. The bowls were all rolled back to the shutters and the end was replayed, Blacks held on for another single and had extended their lead to 16 - 10 with three ends to play. Peckers fought hard they improved their score with two singles. Going into the last end four shots down they fought hard and won that end as well with a further two shots, but Blacks had the win at 16 - 14.
Mat four had Shillington's teammates the Red's Trevor, Carol and Neil playing Potters Bar Kestrels Gill, Barry and Dave. Kestrels started well by taking a single on the first end. Reds matched this on end two but then followed it with a four, a second single and a double to be 8 – 1 up after five ends. Kestrels pushed hard and took a triple on end six. Reds replied by taking a single two doubles and two triples to be 19 – 4 up after eleven ends. Kestrels pushed again and took a single on end twelve but it was to be their last. With Reds winning the final three ends they had a comfortable win at 28 – 5.
Well another week at Hatfield our league leaders lose their third game but still retain that top spot. Our second place team Greenwood Hawks have three games in hand. They will be playing a catchup match against Fairfield Falcons this Friday, a win will see them one step closer to Peckers. Once I receive the scorecard I will add it to the results page on the website, however I won’t do a separate news report but will add it in with the next weekly report. Following this game we only have four more weeks. With our top two teams having both lost three games the title is up for grabs but it does look as if it will be a Greenwood win. Despite their win Shillington Black remain in that fifth spot. Can they climb any further? Mercury’s win moves them up the table but can they climb any further. See you all next week when we will have four more games, and don’t forget we will also have the report on our Friday night catch up game. We have a Shillington Derby which will be fiercely fought plus three of our top four will be playing again although Lions have another rest week so our table could change if only temporarily.