01st April and the Gayler Cup begins
Our new competition the Gayler Cup that was inaugurated last year as part of our 25 years celebrations started this week. We had all six mats in use with winners going forward to the quarter finals next week along with the two teams that drew a bye. With a couple of tweaks to the rules the competition was under way. The new rules along with the draw can be found on the website under the ‘BARNET LEAGUE’ menu.
Mat one had the St Margaret’s 2 team of Brian, Lyn and Roger playing the Greenwood 1 team of Barry, Val and Darren. St Margaret’s started the first set with a double. Greenwood came straight back for a triple and a five followed by a sig le for a 9 – 2 lead after four ends. St Margaret’s hit back and took a five on end five to reduce Greenwood’s lead to 9 – 7. Greenwood came back taking the last two ends for doubles to win the first set 13 – 7. St Margaret’s took the first end of the second set for a single but Greenwood came back for a four and a triple. Although St Margaret’s held a further single Greenwood continued their winning streak and it was all over after six ends. Greenwood 1 winning both sets were through to the quarter finals.
Mat two and Shillington 1’s Trevor, Michelle and Neil were playing Letchworth 2’s Mick, Alan S and Margaret. Shillington started with a single, a double and a second single for a 4 – 0 lead after three ends. Letchworth hit back taking the same run of a single, a double and a second single and it was four all with one end to play. The last end went for a single giving Shillington the first set at 5 – 4. Shillington continued their winning ways with a double on the first end of the second set. Letchworth matched this on end two. Shillington struck again taking a single and a second double for a 5 – 2 lead after four ends. Letchworth then levelled it with a triple on end five. Shillington pushed harder, taking the last two ends for doubles they had won the second set and were through to the quarter finals.
Mat three and Letchworth1’s team of Lisa, Andrew and Alan H were playing St Margaret’s 1 team of Tony, Steven and Jeanette. St Margaret’s started with a single and followed that with a double and a triple for a 6 – 0 lead after three ends. Letchworth held a single on end four but ST Margaret’s continued with two more doubles and the win at 10 – 1 after just six ends. Set two started and Letchworth got their heads down by taking the lead with two singles. St Margaret’s came back, taking three singles they had the lead at 3 – 2 after five ends. End six saw Letchworth level the set with a single and then win the set with a final single on end seven for a 4 – 3 win. With the game drawn at one set all a final tie break end was played. Holding two shots Letchworth took the win on this game of two halves. In this close game Letchworth then awarded the game to St Margaret’s as they are unable to field a team next week when the quarter finals take place.
Mat four and Northiam 1’s Kike, Jan and Martin were playing Potters Bar 2’s Bernice, Mike and Pam. In the first set Northiam held the first two ends for a triple and a single. End three saw Potters Bar hold a single which they repeated on end four. End five and Northiam held a four for a 8 – 2 lead. Potters Bar reduced the deficit with a double on end six but with Northiam taking the last end for another single they had won the first end 9 – 4. The second set saw Northiam turn up the wick, starting with a five and following this with a double they were pulling away. Potters Bar held a single on end three but with Northiam taking a double and two triples they had a comfortable 15 – 1 win and were through to the quarter finals.
Mat five and Potters Bar 1’s Gill, Steve and Barry were playing Greenwood 2’s Audrey, Brian and Mark. Greenwood started with a single and followed this with four more ends for a 8 – 0 lead with two ends to play. Potters Bar came good for a single on end six but Greenwood matched this on the final end for a 9 – 1 win of the first set. Greenwood started the second set with a double. Potters Bar came straight back for a single, Greenwood replied by taking a second double which Potters Bar matched on end four. Greenwood then held their third double of the game for a 6 – 3 lead after five ends. Potters Bar came back on end six for a single but with Greenwood holding their fourth double on the last end they had won the second set and a place in the quarter finals.
Mat six and Shillington 2’s Paul, Julia and Bill were playing Fairfield’s Gill, Neil and Bev. Shillington started with a triple and followed this with a double. Fairfield came back on end three for a four. Shillington pushed again, holding a second triple they had a 8 – 4 lead after four ends. Fairfield held a single on end five which Shillington matched on end six to maintain their four shot lead. The last end was won by Fairfield with a single but Shillington had won the first set 9 – 6. The second set saw Shillington start with a double and follow this with a four. Fairfield took end three for a double and followed this with a single. Shillington pushed again, taking a triple they had a 9 – 4 lead with two ends to play. Fairfield held a single on the penultimate end, requiring a six for the win, it was not to be. The last bowl of the evening from Shillington’s skip rolled in for shot. Winning both sets Shillington 2 became the eighth of our quarter finalists.
Next week four mats will be in use for the quarter finals, see the draw on this website in the ‘BARNET LEAGUE’ section. Why not come along to watch or have a roll up and get your skills ready for the Aussie Pairs Competition that starts the following week. If you have not entered yet then contact Margaret and get an entry form. See you all next week.