As September rolls into October our Barnet league season is upon us again. This year we have one division of ten teams. Each team will play every other team in the division twice so that’s eighteen games each before we know who the winner will be in March 2027. Tuesday night saw the first round of four games take place at Hatfield along with a roll up mat. The hall was buzzing and games got under way at 19.30.

Mat one had Greenwood Peckers Penny, Colin and Brian playing Potters Bar Kestrels Steve, Barry and David. Potters Bar held the first end for a single. Peckers then took the lead with two singles. End four and Potters Bar held the first double of the game for a 3 – 2 lead. Peckers replied by taking a triple but Potters Bar came straight back with another single to make it all square at five all after six ends. Peckers then regained the lead with two singles, they then changed into second gear and held a four followed by a double and a second four for a 17 – 5 lead after eleven ends. Potters Bar fought back by taking a single followed by a double. The last two ends and Peckers held a further single and finished on a double (no it’s not darts) to take the first win of the new season 20 – 8.

Mat two and Northiam East’s Mike, Jan and Martin were playing Letchworth Lions Alan S, Andrew and Alan H. Lions got into their stride by taking the first end for a single. They followed that with two more for a 3 – 0 lead. East came to the mat and held a single but Lions matched this on end five. East then held a second single and again Lions matched it the following end. Guess what, ends eight and nine and it was like groundhog day. Lions were maintaining that three shot lead at 6 – 3. Lions then surged further ahead with a double on end ten. East instantly matched this double on end eleven and then followed that with a second double and a single and it was all square at eight all with two ends to play. The penultimate end and Lions regained the lead by taking their seventh single of this close-run game. The last end was closely fought, East held on and took a double. On the very last end East had taken the lead for the first time giving them a hard-earned win at 10 – 9.

Mat three and Shillington Red’s Paul, Tony and Julia were playing Greenwood Hawks Barry, Val and Mark. Hawks got off to a good start with a double and followed that with a single. Reds then puled it back with a double on end three. Hawks attacked and took three doubles for a 9 – 2 lead. Reds pushed and held a single on end seven. Ends eight and nine saw Hawks hold two triples for a 15 – 3 lead. Reds pushed and held two singles to reduce their deficit to ten shots. Hawks pushed back and increased their lead by one with a single on end eleven. Reds now got their bowling heads on, they started with a double followed that with a triple and finished with another double to reduce their loss to  12 – 16.

Mat four had St Margaret’s Mercury’s Tony, Lyn and Jeanette playing Fairfield Falcons Bev, Gill H and Neil. Mercury started this game with a single. Falcons then took the lead with a double. Mercury pulled back level with a single on end three. Falcons regained the lead with a double and followed that with two singles for a 6 – 2 lead. End seven and Mercury held a single which Falcons matched on end eight. Mercury then took a double and followed that with a single to be back within one shot of Falcons.  Falcons then gained some height and took two singles, they followed on with a double and a triple for a 14 – 6 lead with one end to play. The last end and Mercury held onto the mat and finished with a double however Falcons had won their first game of the season with a score of 14 – 8.

So the first week had some thrills. We have four teams at the top of the table with two points. Four at the bottom with no points and two in the middle having not played yet. Next week, we have another four matches being played at Hatfield. Our new team Greenwood Kites get their first outing when they will be playing Harpenden Eagles. Our current table leaders Greenwood Peckers will be up against St Margaret’s Mercury. Our second place Fairfield Falcons have a rest week as do third place Greenwood Hawks.

See you all next week.

 Best Wishes from the Webmaster.👀