Hello to all our Barnet League players and followers. This week we had five games being played at Hatfield and the one remaining roll-up mat was full as well. The hall was buzzing and everyone was enjoying their game. Read on to see how it all went.
Mat one had Shillington Black’s Paul, Tony and Bill playing Harpenden Eagles Beryl, Deirdre and Brian. Eagles swooped in and took the first end for a double. Blacks attacked and took the lead the following end with a whopping five. Eagles gained height and pulled back on end three with a single but Blacks attacked again, taking a four followed by a single they had a 10 – 3 lead after five ends. Eagles swooped in again for another single but Blacks replied by taking a double and another single for a 13 – 4 lead after eight ends. Eagles started to pull back with two singles but Blacks held end eleven for a triple and a 16 – 6 lead. They followed this with a double and two singles for a 20 – 6 lead with one end to play. The last end saw Eagles hold on for their fifth single of the game but Blacks had a good win at 20 – 7.
Mat two and our other Shillington team, the Red’s Trevor, Michelle and Neil were playing our table leaders Greenwood Hawks Barry, Val and Darren. Reds got going and held a double on the first end. Hawks matched this then took the lead with a single on end three. Reds took the lead straight back with a double and followed this with two singles for a 6 – 3 lead after six ends. Hawks attacked and pulled back with a double on end seven but Reds matched this on end eight to maintain their three shot lead. Hawks then held a single and followed that with a second and were within one shot of Reds. Reds came straight back and held a single followed by a double for a four shot lead. Hawks dived in and held a triple on end thirteen and were back within one shot of Reds. The penultimate end saw Reds hold a four for a five shot lead going into the last end. The last end and Hawks pushed hard trying to keep all their bowls on the mat. They took the advantage and won the end but only holding a double Reds had the win at 15 – 12 and become the first team to take a win from Greenwood Hawks after fifteen weeks of play.
Mat three and our other Greenwood team, the Peckers Colin, Wendy and Mark were playing Potters Bar Kestrels Gill, Barry and Dave. Peckers held the first end for a triple and followed that with a second. Kestrels pushed on end three and held a double. Peckers came straight back for a single and continued with two doubles for an 11- 2 lead after six ends. Kestrels then took a run of four ends, taking three singles and a double they had pulled it back to 11 – 7 in Peckers favour. Peckers then held end eleven for a massive five and followed that with a triple and a double to increase their lead to 21 – 7 with two ends to play. Kestrels held on for another single but Peckers took the last end for a triple and a good win at 24 – 8.
Mat four had St Margaret’s Tony, Lyn and Stephen playing Northiam South’s Margaret, Dennis and Brian. St Margaret’s got on the scorecard first with a double and followed that with a single. South took the lead with a four on end three but St Margaret’s then took a single and it was all square at four all after four ends. South then held a run of five ends although one was a triple the other four were all close with South holding them for singles to take out an 11 – 4 lead after nine ends. St Margaret’s pulled back with a double then the following two ends went for a single apiece. The last three ends all went Souths way. Taking a double followed by a four and a final single they had taken the win at 19 – 7.
Mat five and Harpenden Owls Barbara, Mike and Gordon were playing Letchworth Lions David, Mick and Margaret. Lions roared and started strongly with a five. Owls awoke and took two singles and a double to get within one shot of Lions. The Lions came back and held a double and a single to extend their lead to four shots. Owls held end seven for a single but with a score of 8 – 5 Lions went on the attack. Taking the following seven ends for a single, four doubles, a triple and a four they had pulled out a substantial lead. The last ends saw Owls hang on for a final single but Lions had another win at 24 – 6.
Well as we now approach the end of stage one these five games have just reinforced everyone’s position. Congratulation to Shillington Red who have become the first team to take a win from Greenwood Hawks. Although Hawks are still firmly at the top of our table the Reds have climbed one place although this may be short lived as Northiam East do still have a game in hand. Shillington Blacks win puts them firmly at the top of the lower six teams. With only one more game to play the question is can they get into the top six instead? With only two more weeks of this first stage to go next weeks results could answer all these questions or will we have to wait for the final week of this stage to see how the teams will be divided for stage two of this exciting competition.
See you all next week.
Best Wishes from the Webmaster.👀