Hello everyone, week two and our Barnet League is up and running. This week there were three games played. The hall was buzzing as all six mats were out with plenty of bowlers turning up for roll ups getting their practice in. Lets see how this week went.

Mat one saw Fairfield Falcons and Greenwood Hawks get their first game of the season played. Hawks Barry, Val and Darren got things started by taking the first end for a four. Falcons Gill, Neil and Bev hit straight back by taking a double on the second end. Hawks pushed again and took a second four on end three. The game then settled down with the following four ends going for two singles apiece. With Hawks leading at 10 – 4, Falcons held a further single and followed this with a triple to reduce their deficit to 8 – 10 after nine ends. Hawks took a further single but Falcons replied taking yet another single followed by a double and they had drawn level at eleven all with three ends to play. Hawks pushed it up a notch, they held a single followed by a double and a final single to take the win at 15 – 11.

Mat two and Harpenden Owls and Northiam South got their season started. Eagles Denise, Deidre and Brian got on the card first by taking a double. Northiam’s Jeff, Dennis and Brian matched this on end two and took the lead with a further double on end three. Eagles came back on end four for a single but South extended their lead with a triple on end five. Eagles hit back, taking a double on end six they had reduced their deficit to two shots. South dug in, holding a hotshot six they had pulled out a good lead with the score at 13 – 5. Eagles started to pull back with two singles, however South pulled further in front with a triple on end ten. With the following two ends going for a single apiece South were maintaining their lead. Eagles held end thirteen for a double but South attacked again, holding a four and following this with a final triple they had a good win at 24 – 10.

Mat three and two teams that had played last week and lost were getting their second outing. St Margaret’s Stephen, Lyn and Jeanette held the first end for a single. Shillington Red’s Trevor, Michelle and Neil replied by taking a double, they followed this with a second double and two singles to be 6 – 1 up after five ends. St Margaret’s came back for a second single which Reds matched, they then took a further single to extend their lead to 8 – 2. St Margaret’s held their third single but again Reds held two singles and their lead had increased to 10 – 3 after eleven end. St Margaret’s came back for their fourth single which Reds matched on end thirteen for an 11 – 4 lead. St Margaret’s ramped it up and took a five on the penultimate end. With a much reduced lead of 11 – 9 Reds went into the last end with memories of that fateful six last week. Once all twelve bowls had been rolled down the mat St Margaret’s had held the last end as well. This time it was only with a single and Reds had held on (just) for the win at 11 – 10.

Well week three is over Tigers have maintained their top spot but both Northiam teams are hot on their heels both with the same score. Losing two in a row, St Margaret’s have slipped into last place. With five games to be played next week you can be sure the table will turn again. Watch out next week when Harpenden Owls get to play their first game and Letchworth Tigers will be fighting to maintain that top spot. Congratulations to our county squad who won their first game of the season on Saturday. See the match report in this news section. Come along next week to watch the action or get in some practice on mat six which will be available for a roll up.

Best Wishes from the Webmaster.👀