With the Barnet League finished Hatfield was buzzing last night as the first round of the Gayler Cup started. This competition is also two bowl triples but that is where the similarity ends. The game is played over two sets of seven ends with a one end decider should the game be drawn. Unlike the Barnet League it is straight in with no trial ends. The first week had three mats playing to see which three teams make it through to the quarter finals along with the other five teams that drew a bye in this round.
Mat one had our Barnet League division one champions Greenwood Hawks Barry, Val and Darren playing St Margaret’s Mars Brian, Stephen and Darren. Set one started and Hawks got of the mark with a single. Mars took to the mat and took the lead with a triple. Hawks fought back and managed to tie end three. They then took a second single and followed this with a double for the lead at 4 – 3 with two ends to play. Mars attacked again, end six saw them hold a four to regain the lead at 7 – 4 with one end to play. Hawks swooped in for a single on the last end but Mars had won the first set 7 – 5. The second set started with Mars taking the lead again with a single. Hawks replied by taking a triple. Mars got closer with a second single but taking a second triple Hawks had the lead at 6 – 2 after four ends. Mars attacked and halved their deficit with a double. Hawks gained height and drew in for a single. Following this with a double they had won the second set 9 – 4 and the game was drawn. The one end decider was hard fought but Hawks took this end and the game and proceed through to the quarter finals next week.
Mat three and St Margaret’s Mercuries Tony, Lyn and Jeanette were playing Fairfield Falcons Gill, Neil and Bev. Falcons held the first end of the first set for a single and followed on with a four on the second. Mercury rose and held a single on end three but Falcons dived in for a massive five on end four and a 10 – 1 lead. Mercury rose again and took a second single, as the temperature rose they then held a triple to reduce their deficit to five shots with one end to play. The last end saw Falcons dive in again, holding a double they had won the first set 12 – 5. Set two started with Mercury holding a single which they followed with a double. Falcons came back on the third end for a single but Mercury matched this on end four for a 4 – 1 lead. Falcons pulled back with a second single but Mercury came back for a double then took the second set with a final single making the score 7 – 5. With another draw we had our second one end decider of the week. Fairfield Falcons held on to take the win in the decider and will be playing again next week.
Mat four and our Division two champions Shillington Red Robins Trevor, Michelle and Neil played Letchworth Lions Mick, Margaret and Alan Spicer. The first set started with those Red Robins taking a single and followed that with a double. Lions awoke and held a double on end three but the Red Robins attacked end four and held a triple they continued with a second single for a 7 – 2 lead with two ends to play. Lions roared again and held the sixth end for a single. Red Robins pushed some more, taking the last end for a double they had won the first set 9 – 3. The second set started and Red Robins took a single. Lions roared and took the lead for the first time with a double. Red Robins matched this double to regain the lead. Lions roared again, taking a single it was all square at three all after four ends. End five and Lions continued their winning streak with a double for a 5 – 3 lead. Red Robins pulled back with a single on the penultimate end then finished off with a double on the last end to win the second set with the narrow margin of 6 – 5 and avoid playing a one end decider.
Well there you go folks the first week has been played and we have already had two one end shoot outs. Next week we will be straight into the quarter finals. Greenwood Hawks will be playing a team from Letchworth, Fairfield Falcons will be playing a team from Northiam, In a Shillington shoot out Red Robbins will be playing the Blacks and our forth quarter final will be between two more teams from Greenwood. Come back next week to see how many games go to that one end decider.
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