Last update: Sat 23 Mar 2024 12:27

Week 15 Report

REPORT 15
With three games to go, New Club ‘A’ need just two points to be crowned Section One champions after their excellent win over The George ‘A’. Andy Lewis (6-2-3) and Ronnie Wade (3-4-6) excelled for The New Club as they won the opening leg 29-24. George levelled in the next leg 27-22. New Club claimed the all-important final leg 27-22. James Morrison (5-4-4) and Liam Purcell (3-6-3) threw well for The George.
Second place Garsington Sports are ready to step in if New Club collapse but they did not do themselves any favours when they dropped a leg away at Red Lion ‘A’ Yarnton. It came in the opening leg when they could only set thirteen. Red Lion passed that with ease with seventeen. Garsington then went on to win the next two legs 16-15, 18-14.
It’s a little bit tighter in the Premier Section where The Swan ‘A’ need four points to defend the title. They had a comfortable 3-0 win away at The Chequers ‘A’ winning all three legs 28-17, 26-21, 21-16. Jon Townsend hit a baker’s dozen (5-5-3) and now just sits one doll behind in the top dolls chase.
Gladiators ‘A’ are keeping up the pressure with a fortunate 3-0 win away at The Black Prince. This was a possible banana skin for The Glad’s and it could have been a different result but for some inconsistent throwing by the Prince. Gladiators set the first leg with a respectable 28 and in reply Prince fell just two dolls short with 26. Prince set and lost the next leg 23-28. Final leg Gladiators could only muster up a set of 22 which should have been a formality for The Prince. However they struggled and fell one short with 21 to give The Glad’s an unexpected 3-0 win. Roger Goodall for The Prince was in top form with fifteen dolls (4-6-5).
The Woodman’s slim hopes were extinguished when they lost at The Swan ‘B’ 2-1. Swan set and won the opener 23-22 with The Woodman drawing level in the next leg 23-17. Final leg Swan set with a formidable 28 and in reply The Woodman gave a good account of themselves but fell just one short with 27.

Three teams are still within a shout in Section 2 and its Donnington Club ‘C’ who lead the chasing pack by three points when they beat title contenders Ampleforth Arms ‘A’. Donnington won the first leg 19-13 with Ampleforth hitting straight back in the second leg 21-16. Final and deciding leg the leaders set and won 19-17.
Gladiators ‘C’ dropped a crucial point at home to Six Bells ‘E’ in their quest for the title. It started off well for the Glad’s winning the opener 22-19, but in the second leg when set a score of 17 by The Bell’s, Gladiators could only reply with 13. Glad’s redeemed themselves in the final leg 22-16.
Adam Baker hit thirteen dolls (5-5-3) for Donnington Club ‘A’ as they came from behind to beat hosts Bullnose Morris ‘A’ 2-1 in the leg scores of 24-22, 18-27, 19-23.

Gladiators ‘B’ top Section 3 and they were given a boost after beating bottom of the table Six Bells ‘B’ 3-0. It was a routine win for the leaders winning all three legs 17-10, 21-14, 18-16.
Second place Six Bells ‘A’ suffered a shock when they crashed to a 2-1 home defeat to Rose Hill Club. It was a poor performance from the Bells as they lost the first leg 12-16, levelled in the next 18-16 but lost the decider 11-16.
Steve Jessup was in fine form for Littlemore British Legion ‘A’ when he hit thirteen dolls (4-3-6) but it was to no avail as they lost at The George ‘B’ 2-1. Legion won the opener 20-16 but lost the next two 16-15, 23-19.

Catherine Wheel ‘B’ lead section 4 by five points after beating one time title contenders Cowley Workers 2-1 despite Workers scoring more dolls. The first leg went to Cowley Workers 18-14 and they then set 18 in the next leg. A steady reply from The Catherine Wheel saw them win the leg by the odd doll with 19. Catherine Wheel then obtained victory in the final leg 16-14.
The local derby between The Blackbird & Bullnose Morris ‘B’ did not quite live up to expectations as The Blackbird ran out 3-0 winners 18-15, 16-14, 15-9.
Green Road Club ‘A’ are still hanging on in there hoping the top two slip up, but they dropped a crucial point at bottom place Swan ‘C’. It started off well for the clubmen winning the first leg 15-12, but they fell one short in the second leg when chasing a set of 17 they ended up with 16. The final leg was decided on three sticks by Green Road after it was tied 15-15.

Section 5 is one of the tightest in the league with six points separating the top six. Leaders Cricketers Arms Cowley have seen their lead cut to one point when they lost for the second time on the bounce, this time at Donnington Club ‘B’. Cricketers could only muster up a set of 11 in the first leg, which proved to be no trouble for Donnington hitting 15 in reply. Cricketers bounced back in the next leg to level 16-10 but lost the third crucial leg 14-12.
Vikings Sports ‘C’ took full advantage and claimed maximum points against Red Lion ‘B’ Marston and in turn severely dented Lions chances. Only the last leg was close as Vikings won them all 16-8, 19-11, 12-11.
The Tandem remain rooted at the bottom of the table despite beating hosts Vikings Sports ‘D’ 3-0. Neale Clarkson was in great from for The Tandem, clanging off thirteen dolls (4-4-5) as they won all three legs 18-15, 20-9, 19-11.
Ampleforth Arms ‘B’ are now only five points behind after defeating Cricketers Littleworth, whose hopes are fading each week. The Amp won the first two legs 21-20, 20-15 but had to rely on a three stick shootout in the final leg after it was tied 10-10.

Section 6 is too close to call with only six points separating the top seven teams. The Chequers ‘B’ are leading the chase and their chances were improved when they beat Green Road Club ‘B’ 3-0. The score line did not do justice for the clubmen as Chequers won the first leg by the smallest of margins 16-15. Chequers went two up in the next leg 20-18 and had to rely on three sticks in the final leg after it was tied 11-11.
Golden Ball almost tasted victory for the first time this season but were narrowly beaten by Duke Of Monmouth 2-1. Duke took an early lead winning the first leg 18-14. Golden Ball won their eighth leg of the season when they won the second leg 13-12. Golden Ball set eleven in the final leg and it looked to be enough as The Duke only had seven on the board with just anchor man Lee Worrall to go needing five to win. However Worrall was up to the task and whipped off the five dolls needed to leave Golden Ball dejected and winless.

Headington Con Club need just two points to be crowned champions of Section 7 after they whitewashed White Hart Wytham 3-0. It was a straightforward win for the con club winning all three legs 19-11, 12-4, 16-4.
Second place Marston British Legions hopes were blown away by visitors Yarnton British Legion who won the first two legs 10-6, 10-9. Legion won the final leg 20-10 but the damage had already been done.

SIXERS : A.Lewis, R.Wade (New Club ‘A’) Li.Purcell (George ‘A’) R.Goodall (Black Prince) W.Townsend (Six Bells ‘E’) S.Jessup (Littlemore B.L. ‘A')P.Kennett (Masons Arms ‘A’) M.Jacob (Chequers ‘B’)

BLOBBERS: E.Hopkins (Littlemore B.L. ‘B’) M.Lyons (Masons Arms ‘B’) A.Gibbs, C.Gibbs (Democrats Club) D.Rees (White Hart Wolvercote)
C.Laver (Yarnton British Legion) M.Sinnott (Northway Club ‘B’) K.Bratton (East Oxford Con Club) S.Baker (Kidlington F.C. ‘B’)

TOP DOLL SCORERS:
15: R.Goodall (Black Prince)
13: R.Wade (New Club ‘A’) J.Morrison (George ‘A’) J.Townsend (Black Prince) A.Baker (Donnington Club ‘A’) S.Jessup (Littlemore B.L. ‘A’)
N.Clarkson (The Tandem)

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