Report Week 18

REPORT FROM MATCHES PLAYED ON WEDNESDAY 4th SEPTEMBER

There was a dramatic end to the Section 4 title which went right down to the wire. The Original Swan ‘A’ who had led the section for most of the season needed only two points to secure the title crashed away to The Masons Arms ‘A’ 3-0. Swan only set 10 in the opening leg which Masons raced by with 22 in reply. Masons then set and won the next leg 21-18 and then made it a full house in the final leg 23-14. Jim Gaul top scored for the Masons with a steady dozen dolls (4-4-4).
The result meant their closest rivals the Crown needed two points against Tiddington Cricket Club to be crowned champions or one point for a playoff. They got off to a good start winning the first leg 19-16, but lost the next leg 17-22. The final and deciding leg Crown set with 20. In reply Tiddington also hit 20 thanks to anchor man Dick Brownshill who clanged of the four dolls needed to tie the leg. Crown set twelve in the three sticks which proved to be enough as Tiddington could only reply with seven.

Section 6 was just as close with leaders Donnington Club ‘C’ and second place Red Lion ‘A’ Kidlington playing each other. The Lion drew first blood winning the opening leg 18-13. Donnington set the second leg with 17 and it was to be enough as Red Lion fell four short in reply with 13. That point gave Donnington the title. Red Lion won the final leg 15-11 to finish one point behind.

The top two clashed in Section 7 for the title and it was The Cricketers ‘A’ who beat Ampleforth ‘B’ 3-0 to claim the crown. Needing just one point they won the first leg 19-18 and then went on to claim the next two legs 20-13, 18-11.

In the Premier Section Three Pigeons finished off in fine style with 95 dolls in their 3-0 win against Ampleforth Arms ‘A’. Mick Phipps was in top form with fifteen dolls (6-4-5) and was well supported by Paul Townsend with fourteen dolls (5-4-5) as they won all three legs 34-16, 29-16, 32-21.
Brothers Barry and Jon Townsend starred for The Cricketers with fifteen (6-5-4) and fourteen (4-6-4) respectively in their 2-1 win over Section One champs The Gladiators ‘A’. They won the first two legs 28-23, 31-29 before The Glad’s grabbed a point in the final leg 27-26.
Garsington Sports ‘A’ finished bottom of the Premier but finished in style with 92 dolls but still finished up on the wrong side of a 2-1 score to Red Lion ‘B’ Eynsham. They won the opening leg 34-20, but lost the next two 32-28, 32-30. Barry Ruffels (6-3-4) Martin Ruffels (5-6-1) and Steve Greenough (4-4-5) all hit thirteen dolls for Garsington.

In Section 2 Rose Hill Club ‘A’ failed at the last hurdle to be the only team to go though the season unbeaten when they fell dramatically at home to The Woodman 2-1. The damage was done in the first two legs which The Woodman won 20-16, 23-16. Rose Hill won the final leg 21-19. Charlie Buckingham was top dog for The Woodman with eleven dolls (5-3-3)
James Bennett was in sparkling form as he bagged himself a six in his fifteen doll haul (6-4-5) for The Six Bells ‘A’ Quarry as they beat Team Monarch 2-1. They won the first leg by the odd doll 22-21 and then had to rely on a three stick shoot out in the next leg after it was tied 20-20. Monarch winning the last leg 19-15 for whom Keith Bull top scored with a dozen dolls (5-5-2).
Mick Murphy hit his best score of the season with a baker’s dozen (5-4-4) as The Chequers beat Cowley Workers in the basement clash. Chequers won all three legs 20-15, 22-17, 17-16.

Queens Head ‘A’ ended up bottom of Section 3 after a 2-1 loss at Headington Con Club ‘A’. They set fifteen in the first leg but thanks to The Club men’s anchor man Pete Kennett who clanged off five dolls they won the leg by the odd doll. Queens levelled in the next leg 22-16 but lost the final leg 16-9.

In Section 5 Fairview’s Bernie McCormack hit his best score for many seasons with fourteen dolls (4-5-5) as they claimed maximum points at home to The Pheasant in the leg scores of 19-17, 24-11, 18-15.

In Section 9 Steve Jessop was in tremendous form as he whipped off fourteen dolls (6-4-4) for The George ‘B’ but it could prevent them going down 2-1 at The Kings Arms. They started of well winning the first leg 19-14 but Kings Arms came back well to win the next two legs 13-11, 14-11 for whom Nigel King hit his first double figure score in the league with ten dolls (3-3-4).
Kennington Club ‘B’ were finally crowned champions of Section 10 after leading for most of the season with a 2-1 win at home to The Cricketers Littleworth. They made sure in the first two legs 12-10, 14-12 with Cricketers taking a point in the final leg 10-7.

Finals night will take place on Friday 18th October Oxford Sports Club, Roman Way. Tickets at £3.00 from Keith Alder on 01865 767107

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