Singles Report

STUART & SONS OXFORD & DISTRICT AUNT SALLY 2022
REPORT SINGLES WEEK
League games took a rest this week as the singles competitions took place. In the Oxford singles played at four different venues where the two finalists go through, the following eight players battled their way through to the play offs. Andy Beal, Kevin Baker, Chris Jenkins (Gladiators ‘A’). Pete Rampton (Red Lion ‘B’ Kidlington) Kevin Stuart (George ‘A’) Keith Powelll (Swan ‘A’) Rob Bradford (Black Prince) & Chris Webb (Chequers ‘B’).
Played at The Masons Arms, 2018 winner Mark Rollins from North Leigh FC fell at the first hurdle this time against teammate Spencer Buckingham 2-1. With the tie nicely poised at 1-1 Buckingham set a maximum six to secure the win. His next opponent was Kevin Baker (six times runner-up) who earlier had a tough first round against Steve Ducker (Red Lion Kidlington) Baker won the first leg 4-3, Ducker levelled in the next leg on three sticks after it was tied 3-3. A set of 4 by Baker in the final leg saw him through.
Buckingham set and won the opening leg with a set of 4, Baker levelled in the next leg with the same set and then went on to win the final and deciding leg.
The only winner left in the competition Pete Rampton from 2016, just got the better of Adolfo Kerpache (North Leigh FC) in the first round beating him 2-1 in a close contest. Rampton then had a straightforward 2-0 win against Ray Grant (North Leigh FC) in the next round.

Played at The Six Bells Kidlington, Rob Bradford (Black Prince) who is on fire this season, battled his way through in some difficult games. He just got the better of Willy Waite (Blackbird ‘B’) in the first round. After losing the first leg 4-3, Bradford levelled in the next leg by the same score. Final leg was a damp squid when Waite could only muster up a set of 1, which Bradford passed with ease. Bradford then put on an impressive display against Kevin McMahon (Blackbird ‘B’) in the next round hitting a 4 & 6 to see him progress. In the next round Lee Thompson (Swan ‘A) proved a more difficult opponent, after Bradford won the first leg Thompson set a formidable 5 in the second leg. Bradford matched this and in the three sticks Thompson set 2, which Bradford matched again. To the one stick shoot out and with Thompson missing with his, Bradford whipped the doll of in his throw to win the tie.
Chris Jenkins had a difficult first round tie against teammate Scott Thompson. In the first leg, six, three and one stick could not separate them with Jenkins finally winning the leg back on six sticks. He then completed the win in the next leg 4-2. Jenkins then beat Ian McAteer (Black Prince) 2-0 in the next round.

Played at Garsington sports club, runner up from 2019 Kevin Stuart had a comfortable first round win against Andy Webb (Chequers ‘B’) 2-0 and was then drawn against Kevin Giles (Gladiators ‘A’). Stuart won the opening leg with a set of 4. Giles hit straight back in the next leg with a set of 4 himself, Stuart hitting 3 in reply. Final and deciding leg Stuart set and clanged off all six to win the leg and tie.
Keith Powell had a more difficult and challenging route to the play offs. In the first round against Craig Hambridge (Blackbird ‘B’) Powell set 4 with Hambridge matching it. Powell winning the leg on three sticks 2-1. Hambridge levelled in the next leg 3-2. Final and deciding leg Powell set 4 and once again Hambridge matched it. Déjà vu hit Hambridge as Powell went through on the three sticks shoot out 2-1.
Powell was then pitted against Ashley Keenan (North Leigh FC) in the next round and lost the first leg 4-3. Powell set 5 in the next leg which Keenan matched. Powell once again secured victory in the three sticks 3-0. Powell then completed the turn around in the final leg 3-2.

Played at The George, Andy Beal (runner up in 2010) beat Roger Goodall (Black Prince) 2-0 in the first round and then beat Neil Pratley (North Leigh FC) by the same score. Chris Webb beat Mark Revill 2-0 in the first round and then was drawn against Ian Grant (Black Prince) for whom, he beat 2-0.

In The Ted Houghton singles for players in Section 3 and below played at two venues down to the winner at each, Walter Harwood (Blecthington sports club) and Paul Edwards (Red Lion Kidlington) battled their way through to the final to be played on finals night.
Played at The Gladiators Club, Harwood was taken all the way in the first round against Dave Rudman (Littlemore rugby club). Rudman won the first leg on three sticks after it was tied 1-1. Rudman then set 4 in the second leg with Harwood clanging off 5 dolls to level. Rudman then set 4 in the deciding leg and Harwood once again excelled to also hit 4 to send it to three sticks, which he won 2-1. In the next round Harwood was up against 2015 winner Yorkie Finney. Harwood once again had to rely on a three stick shoot out to win the opening leg after it was tied 3-3. Finney set 2 in the second leg which proved to be no problem for Harwood as he hit the three dolls needed with a stick to spare.
In the semi-final he was up against Phil Hounslow (Six Bells Kidlington). who earlier had a fine 2-0 win in the first round against Andy Clare (Cowley Workers) winning both legs 1-X, 5-1. In the next round he disposed of Dave Behan (Red Lion Kidlington) again 2-0 in the leg scores of 3-1, 5-3.
Harwood won both legs in the semi-final 3-1, 2-1.

Played at Seacourt Bridge Paul Edwards just got the better over two times winner (2002 & 2008) Paul Swayer (Bletchington sports). Opening leg went all the way after six and three sticks could not separate them, Edwards finally winning the leg on one stick. Edwards then set and won the second leg with a score of 3. Edwards was then drawn against team Adam Williams who took Edwards down to the wire. First leg Edwards set and won 3-1. Williams then set in the second leg which was tied 3-3 and 1-1 in the three sticks, before Edwards finally claimed victory in the one stick shoot out.
Steve Reeves battled his way to the final at this venue and was made to fight all the way. In the first round he beat Nick Edmonds 2-1, winning the first leg on three sticks, losing the next and then setting and winning the final leg with a score of 4.
Next round he had to rely on three sticks to win the first leg against Steve Buckle (Blackbird ‘A’) and the final leg on one stick after six and three sticks were tied. In the semi-final two scores of 4 saw him through against Clive Walsh (Six Bells ‘C’).
So, to the final with Reeves setting and winning the opening leg 5-2. Edwards battled back to level on three sticks 2-1 after it was tied 2-2. Edwards could only set 2 in the final leg, but it proved to be enough as Reeves could only hit one in reply.

SIXERS
K.Stuart (George ‘A’) N.Pratley, S.Buckingham (North Leigh FC). R.Bradford (Black Prince)

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