WEEK 10

James Morrison (New Club ‘A’) hit 18 dolls at North Leigh FC and joined the very elite group of players that have hit the maximum. Since records began in 1938 the maximum has only been hit 22 times by 17 different players, the last time in 2018. This was more impressive as it was hit on an away alley. It started off well for North Leigh when they won the opening leg 28-23, however this was to be their only success as New Club hit back in the next two legs 30-19, 24-19. Adrian Shepherd threw well for his 13 dolls (3-5-5) for New Club.
FOOTNOTE AT THE BOTTOM OF THIS REPORT

Yarnton British Legion completed the double over Premier leaders The Gladiators by hitting their best scores of the season. Yarnton set and won the first leg 27-25. Gladiators levelled in the next leg setting and winning it 25-21. Yarnton won the all-important toss in the third leg and decided to set and it proved to be the right call as they set and won it 29-27. Dave Behan was in top form for the Legion with 14 dolls (5-3-6) while for The Glad’s Kevin Baker hit 15 dolls (5-5-5) for the second successive week and was supported well by Chris Jenkins with 13 dolls (5-4-4).
White House came away from a tricky game at Garsington Sports with a 2-1 win. The Sportsmen set and won the opening leg 21-19. White House set and won the second leg 24-21. Garsington set 22 in the final and deciding leg which almost proved to be enough as White House just sneaked over the line with 23 to give them the leg and game. Newly crowned ‘World Champion’ Roger Goodall with a baker’s dozen (4-5-4) was top dog for The White House.
Littlemore British Legion came away from The Black Horse ‘A’ with all three points. Setting in all three legs they won the opener 24-22 and then set 21 in the second leg. In reply Black Horse left anchor-man Steve Walton needing all six to tie the leg and he almost succeeded but fell one short with 5. Legion wrapped up the whitewash in the final leg 19-16.
Graham Reading led the way with 14 dolls (4-5-5) and supported by Martin Herbert (3-6-4) to guide The Swan to a 3-0 win away at The Catherine Wheel ‘A’. They comfortably won the first two legs 25-23, 28-20 and was then set 23 in the final leg. A mixed response from The Swan left anchor-man Keith Powell needing four to win and he was up to the task whipping off the winning doll with his final stick.

SECTION 2
Catherine Wheel ‘C’ remain unbeaten in Section 2 after they beat Black Horse ‘B’ 3-0 at home. Chasing all three legs they won them all 20-14, 19-16, 16-13.
The Masons Arms ‘A’ keep the pressure on at the top as they beat The Ampleforth Arms ‘A’ 3-0 in a low scoring game on their own patch. Chris Webb again threw well for The Masons hitting 14 dolls (5-4-5) in the leg scores of 22-20, 14-12, 15-11.
The Blackbird stopped a six-week running loss when they claimed all three points at the Queens Head. Winning the first two legs 23-16, 17-16 they were then set 18 in the final leg, A steady reply from The Blackbird left anchor-man Steve Buckle needing four to win and he did not disappoint whipping off the dolls to give The Blackbird their first maximum win of the season.
Seacourt Bridge, now playing their home games at The Bystander started off with a 2-1 victory over Vikings Sports in the leg scores of 12-15, 15-8, 15-14.
Duke Of Monmouth had a straightforward 3-0 win at home to Bletchingdon sports club winning all three legs 18-14, 20-11, 23-16. Adam Baker top scored with 11 dolls (3-4-4).

SECTION 3
Its still very tight in Section 3 with just five points separating eight teams. Leading the way is The Tandem who beat The Cricketers 2-1 in a very close game that could have gone either way. They won the opening leg on three sticks after it was tied 11-11. A good set of 19 in the second leg was more than enough as Cricketers could only hit 12 in reply. Final leg Tandem set 15 and in reply 3 dolls from Cricketer’s anchor-man Andy Lewis saw them over the line by the odd doll to give them a deserved point and stopped the whitewash.
Rose Hill Club and Six Bells ‘C’ fought out a high scoring entertaining game with Bells scoring more dolls but ended up losing. Bells set the first leg with 21 and in return a slow start left Rose Hill’s last two players needing 10 to win and they nearly pulled it off with Mark Faulkner hitting 5 and anchor-man Tony Elles hitting four to tie the leg and send it to three sticks, which Rose Hill won. Rose Hill set 14 in the second leg and this time Bells left anchor-man Nick Edmonds needing 3 to win, well he doubled that hitting a six to level the game. Final leg Rose Hill set 18 thanks to a six from Tony Eeles and it turned out to be crucial as Bells could only hit 15 in reply. Edmonds ended up with an impressive 13 dolls (4-6-3).
After winning five games on the bounce New Club ‘B’ have now lost their last two games, this time at home to Cowley Workers who have in turn stopped the rot of a 4-game losing streak. Workers won the opener on three sticks after it was tied 11-11. Chasing a set of 14 Workers anchor-man Eamon Hanlon clanged off the four dolls needed to win the leg with 15. New Club threw well in the final leg setting and winning it 17-13.
Headington Con club remain rooted at the foot of the table when they lost at home to Northway Club ‘B’ 2-1 for whom Jack Wells top scored with 11 dolls (4-1-6). Con club, setting all three legs, they lost the first 8-13, levelled in the second 11-7 and lost the decider 17-10.

SECTION 4
Littlemore Rugby Club threw well to defeat visitors Ampleforth Arms ‘B’ 2-1. They raced into a two nil lead winning both legs 16-10, 18-10, however Ampleforth regrouped well in the final leg setting and winning it 17-15 for a deserved point. Malcolm Bough top scored for The Rugby club with 11 dolls (3-4-4).
The George kept their title ambitions alive when they beat hosts Red Lion Cassington 2-1. A disastrous start in the first leg cost them when they could only muster up a score of 6 when chasing a set of 11. However, that seemed to shake them up and they won the next leg by the smallest of margins 16-15 and completed the turnaround in the final leg 14-11.
Jack Lane hit a dozen dolls (4-4-4) for Northway Club ‘C’ in their 2-1 win at home to The White Hart. They easily won the first two legs 17-11, 13-7, but couldn’t complete the whitewash losing the final leg 14-13.
Red Lion Yarnton moved to two points off the top when they overpowered hosts Donnington Club in a close fought game. Winning the first leg 14-11 they lost the next by the same score 11-14. A set of 11 in the final leg by The Lion didn’t seem it would be enough, but Donnington struggled and fell one doll short with 10 to hand the Lion the leg and game.
Golden Ball had a fine 3-0 win at home to Catherine Wheel ‘B’ in the leg scores of 14-12, 129, 15-13.

FOOTNOTE
JAMES MORRISON 18 DOLLS.
This was a remarkable accomplishment by James, equivalent of a 147 at snooker or nine darter at darts, to become only the 18th player to hit 18 dolls. To do this on an away alley as well adds to the achievement. Not many of us get that feeling of standing there on the oche during the third leg after hitting two sixes in the previous two legs, and James has said that he felt quite relaxed at the time , however after whipping off the first three, a voice in his head told him, ‘come on then, you’re on for this’. With his heart palpitating and adrenalin running through his body James stayed composed and clanged off the next three dolls as clean as ever, to loud cheers from both teams, James stood there in disbelief on what he had actually done. It took quite a while for it to sink in but he will soon realise as time goes by how incredible this feat was and his name is now engraved in Oxford Aunt Sally history for ever.
Well done James.


SIXERS
J.Morrison 3 (New Club) D.Behan (Yarnton B.L.) R.Bradford (White House) N.Edmonds (Six Bells C)
T.Eeles (Rose Hill Club) J.Wells (Northway Club ‘B’) M.Herbert (The Swan)

BLOBBERS
M.Bonfield (Catherine Wheel B) K.Strand (Vikings Sports)

HIGHEST DOLLS
18: J.Morrison (New Club)
15: K.Baker (Gladiators)
14: D.Behan (Yarnton B.L.) C.Webb (Masons Arms ‘A’) G.Reading (The Swan)
13: C.Jenkins (Gladiators) R.Goodall (White House) N.Edmonds (Six Bells C)
A.Shepherd (New Club ‘A’) M.Herbert (The Swan)

HIGHEST LEG SCORE
New Club 30

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