WEEK 8

Yarnton British Legion shocked Premier section leaders The Gladiators by coming from behind to beat them 2-1 at home. It started of well for the Gladiators when chasing a set of 21 they hammered in a reply of a massive 33. Legion set the next leg with 23 and in reply The Glad’s hit 13 at the halfway mark, however a dramatic collapse followed leaving anchor man Kevin Baker needing 5 to tie and 6 to win, he gave it a good effort but fell one short to give the Legion an unexpected leg win. Final and deciding leg Gladiators set and the poor from the second leg continued, and they could only set a beatable 21. Legion matched that but with their 5-doll handicap won the leg with 26 to provide the shock of the season so far. Paul Edwards for the Legion was in top form with a baker’s dozen (3-5-5) while Keith Tanner for The Glad’s did likewise (5-4-4)
Black Horse ‘A’ move level at the top of Section 1 with Littlemore British Legion after beating them on their own patch 2-1. Legion set all three legs and won the opener 25-22, however that was to be their only success as Black Horse won the next two legs 30-15, 20-17.

SECTION 2
Catherine Wheel ‘C’ remain unbeaten and top Section 2 after their latest victory away at Black Horse ‘B’ however it could easily have been their first defeat. A set of 26 by The Black Horse in the opening leg was too much for The Wheel who responded with 21. The second leg was tied 22-22 with Catherine Wheel winning it on three sticks. They then completed the turnaround in the final leg 22-16. Alan Surman for The Black Horse was top dog with 13 dolls (4-5-4).
The Masons Arms ‘A’ are only three points behind the leaders after they overpowered The Ampleforth Arms ‘A’ 3-0 at home for whom Chris Webb starred with 14 dolls (5-5-4). They won all three legs 25-21, 25-19, 21-18.
The Blackbirds losing streak continues as they lost their fifth game on the bounce this time at home to Queens Head who clipped their wings 2-1. It was looking promising for the Blackbird when they set and won the first leg 15-11, however a set of 20 by The Queens was enough for them to level when The Bird could only reply with 15. Final and deciding leg Blackbird set 13 and in reply The Queens Head left anchor man Dean Fitzgerald needing 5 to win and he almost pulled it off just falling one short with 4 to send it to a three stick shoot out. Queens winning it on three sticks and with it the leg and game.
Homeless Seacourt Bridge, who have to find a new place to play, lost 2-1 at Vikings Sports in the leg scores of 17-16, 16-20, 19-15.
Bletchingdon Sports & Duke Of Monmouth both scored the same number of dolls and in a tight game it was the Duke that won 2-1. The Sportsmen set the opening leg with 14 and in reply 3 dolls from anchor man Lee Worrall saw the Duke sneak the leg by the odd doll with 15. Second leg Duke set with 17 and this time it was Bletchingdon’s anchor man Walter Harwood who whipped of the 4 winning dolls to hit 18 and win the leg. Final and deciding leg was tied 17-17 with the Duke winning it on three sticks.

SECTION 3
Only four points separate the top eight in Section 3 with The Tandem leading by one point after their 2-1 win at The Cricketers Arms. They raced into a 2-0 lead winning both legs at a canter 16-10, 19-12 but could not complete the whitewash when Cricketers set and won the final leg 15-13.
Cowley Workers won the opening leg at home to New Club ‘B’ on one stick after it was tied 14-14, however that was to be their only success of the night as New Club upped their game and won the next two legs 18-15, 20-14. Steve Horwood for New Club threw well for his dozen dolls (3-4-5).
Northway Club ‘B’ hit their best total score of the season in their 3-0 win at home to Headington Con Club. Jack Wells led the way with 13 dolls (4-4-5) winning all three legs 17-14, 20-15, 18-12. Steve Bennett for the Con club top scored with 10 dolls (3-2-5)
Rose Hill Club came away from Six Bells ‘C’ with a hard fought 2-1 win. Chasing a set of 17 in the first leg good steady throwing saw them over the line by three dolls with 20. They then set and won the next leg 18-12 before The Bells set and won the final leg 19-14.
Masons Arms ‘B’ kept their title hopes alive with a 3-0 win at The Six Bells ‘B’, winning all three legs 17-15, 16-12, 20-15. Andy Francis & Joe Bandrowski hit 11 dolls apiece for The Masons as did Stuart Lawrie for The Bells.

SECTION 4
In Section 4, despite a six from Roger Pickett, Red Lion Yarnton could only set 10 in the first leg at home to Donnington Club who passed that with ease hitting 19 in return. In the second leg Lion roared back and more than doubled their score hitting 21 to Donnington’s 15 to level the game. Final leg was tied 15-15 as was three sticks 11-11, with Lion finally winning the leg on one stick 3-1. Pickett ended up with a worthy 11 dolls (6-3-2).
Littlemore Rugby club came away from The Ampleforth Arms ‘B’ with all three points with Dave Rudman leading the way with a dozen dolls (5-2-5) in the leg scores of 16-10, 14-9, 19-14.
Red Lion Cassington came away from The George with maximum points , leg scores being 14-10, 10-5, 13-12
Jack Lane bagged himself a six in his 12 dolls haul (2-6-4) to guide Northway Club ‘C’ to a 3-0 win at The White Hart. They won all three legs 9-7, 18-5, 10-6.

SIXERS
J. Lane (Northway Club 'C') S. Ward (Black Horse 'A') R. Pickett (Red Lion Yarnton)

BLOBBERS
T.Merriden (Six Bells B) D.Sealey, C.Warman (The George)

HIGHEST DOLLS
14: C.Webb (Masons Arms A)
13: A.Surman (Black Horse ‘B’) J.Wells (Northway Club B) P.Edwards (Yarnton B.L.)
K.Tanner (Gladiators)
HIGHEST LEG SCORE
The Gladiators 33

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