Hello to all our Barnet League players and followers, in this the last week before festivities begin I have to tell you that despite my promise of six games to report on there are only five as one had to be cancelled. So let’s see how those five games progressed.

Mat one had St Margaret’s Tony, Brian and Stephen playing Potters Bar Kestrels Mike, Bernice and Dave. Kestrels held the first end for a single which St Margrets matched on the second. Kestrels then took the third end for another single and St Margaret’s matched again so it was now two all after four ends. Kestrels held yet another single but this time they followed it with a triple and a double for an 8 – 2 lead after seven ends. St Margaret’s then took a third single but Kestrels continued with a double and a single and were now 11 – 3 up after ten ends. St Margaret’s upped the ante and took a double, they followed this with a second and then took a triple to reduce Kestrels lead to 11 – 10 with two ends to play. St Margaret’s continued their run and took the lead with a second triple and then finished the game with a four to win 17 – 11. Those fourteen points in the last five ends completely transformed this game on mat one.

Mat two and Letchworth Lions David, Mick and Alan H were playing Harpenden Eagles Sue, Denise and Brian. Eagles soared into the first end and held a single, they followed this with a second single and a third. The Lions awoke and took a single but the Eagles gained height and took two more singles for a 5 – 1 lead after six ends. Lions charged in and held a triple they then roared for a double and the lead at 6 – 5. Eagles came back for their sixth single and sixth end of the game to draw level on end nine. Lions went on the attack and held a whopping five. Eagles soared back in for yet another single but this time they gained more height, taking a four they had pulled it back level at eleven all with three ends to play. They then took the lead with yet another single. Lions roared again taking only their fifth end of the game they held a double for a one shot lead going into the last end. Eagles regrouped and swooped in, they held a single on the last end to take their second draw of this competition at 13 all.

Mat three and our table leaders Greenwood Hawks Barry, Val and Darren were playing their stable mates Greenwood Peckers Wendy, Brian and Mark. Hawks showed Peckers why they top the table by starting with a triple and following that with a single and two doubles for an 8 – 0 lead. Peckers raised their heads and took two singles. Hawks reply was to glide in and take two further doubles for a 12 – 2 lead after eight ends. Peckers got going again and held their third single of the game. Hawks came straight back, holding three singles and a double they had increased their lead to 17 – 3 with two ends to play. Peckers held on and took their forth end for a double but Hawks finished this game with a final single to retain their unbeaten record at 18 – 5.

Mat four and Fairfield Falcons Andrew, Gill A and Bev were playing Northiam East’s Mike E, Jan and Martin. East looked in the correct direction and started this game by taking three singles, they continued their run with a triple and a four for a 10 – 0 lead after five ends. Falcons started their campaign by taking a single and followed that with two doubles to half their deficit. With the score at 10 – 5 East adjusted their direction and took a single and two doubles to restore their ten shot lead. Falcons pulled back by taking the following two ends for singles. With the score at 15 – 7 East held the last two ends for doubles and the win at 19 – 7.

Mat five had a postponed game with Shillington Black’s Rob, Tony and Bill playing Harpenden Owls Val, Barbara and Gordon. Owls took the first end for a single. Black matched Owls single and followed that with two more and two doubles for a 7 – 1 lead after six ends. End seven saw Owls hold another single and they followed that with a third. Black attacked end nine and increased their lead with a four. Owls then won their forth end for another single to reduce Blacks lead to 11 – 4 with five ends to play. The last five ends all went Blacks way they started with two doubles and followed that with two triples finishing the game with a final single they had the win at 22 – 4.

So, in the run up to Christmas we see some movement in our league table. We will now have to wait until after the new year to see who is going to be in the first division and who will be in the second. At the moment our two colourful Shillington teams are sitting there at that cutoff point. They have four more games each to sort it out.

Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year to all our followers,

Best Wishes from the Webmaster.👀