WEEK 12
The top two teams in the Premier Section both suffered unexpected losses and gives the chasing pack an opening to close the gap. Leaders White House fell to a 2-1 defeat at Yarnton British Legion which could easily have been a whitewash. White House set a challenging 28 in the opening leg and a steady reply from Legion left anchorman Dave Trim needing four to win and he was up to the task whipping off the winning doll with his last stick to give the Legion an early lead. White House set 23 the next leg and it was never going to be enough as Legion flew past that with 27. White House set again in the final leg with 29 which Legion matched, however the leaders won the three sticker to snatch a point at the death. Phil Austin was in top form for the leaders with 14 dolls (5-3-6).
Second place The Gladiators could not take advantage as they fell to a 2-1 home defeat to Catherine Wheel ‘A’ who hit their best score of the season. It started off well for The Glad’s when they set and won the opening leg 28-23. Catherine Wheel upped their game immensely winning the next two legs 29-20, 30-24. Scott Thompson was top dog for The Glad’s with 13 dolls (5-4-4) while Willy Waite for The Wheel threw well for his dozen dolls ( 3-5-4).
The Swan have closed the gap to three points after their third win on the bounce this time at home to Garsington Sports. They had to rely on a three stick shoot out in the opening leg after it was tied 23-23 but then easily won the next two legs 22-16, 25-14.
North Leigh FC ended a four-game losing streak when they beat Black Horse ‘A’ at home 3-0. Hitting their best scores all season they won all three legs 28-19, 23-15, 30-17. Jeff Glenister for North Leigh was in sensational form hitting two sixes in his 15-doll haul (6-3-6) with teammate Neil Pratley hitting a dozen dolls in an unusual way (5-1-6), Steve Ward for the Horse bagged himself a six in his 14 dolls (6-3-5).
Simon Jones clanged off 15 dolls (6-4-5) for The New Club at home to Littlemore British Legion however it was all in vain as they lost 2-1. Legion raced into a 2-0 lead winning both legs 23-20, 29-22 but couldn’t complete the maximum win when New Club won the final leg by the smallest of margins 25-24.
SECTION 2
Duke Of Monmouth shocked Section 2 title contenders and previously unbeaten Catherine Wheel ‘C’ by beating them 2-1 at home and spoil their perfect ten game unbeaten run. It started off well for The Wheel when they won the first leg 21-12, however The Duke upped their game and set and won the next two legs 21-20, 20-15.
Leaders Masons raced into a two-nil lead at The Blackbird winning both legs by the odd doll 13-12, 17-16 but couldn’t complete the whitewash when Blackbird won the final leg 23-21.
Dave Green threw well for The Ampleforth ‘A’ hitting a baker’s dozen (5-4-4) in their three-nil win at Queens Head, 20-16, 16-19, 23-16.
Seacourt Bridge came away from Bletchingdon Sports with a 2-1 win, but it could easily have been all three. They comfortably won the first two legs 18-16, 18-10 and was then set 13 in the final leg and was on course to pass that but their anchor man needing only two to win, blobbed out to give the sportsmen an unexpected point.
Black Horse ‘B’ tasted victory after a six-game losing run when they beat The Vikings at home 2-1. Losing the first leg 14-15 they came back well to win the next two legs 15-13, 15-8. Alan Surman top scored with 11 dolls (4-4-3).
SECTION 3
In Section 3, Doug Mingham was in terrific form clanging off 14 dolls (5-4-5) to guide The Cricketers to a 2-1 home win against Northway Club B to dent their title ambitions but give a boost to their own. Northway struggled the first two legs losing them both 16-9, 19-6 but recovered well in the final leg 17-13 for an important point.
Leaders The Tandem had an untroubled night against Headington Con club who are propping up the table. Brian Reidy with 11 dolls (5-3-3) led the way as they won all three legs 17-15, 19-10, 18-14.
Rose Hill Club had a fine 2-1 win at local rivals Cowley Workers Club. The first leg went to Rose Hill 14-11, with Cowley workers levelling in the next leg 22-21 thanks to a six from Eamon Hanlon. Final and deciding leg Workers set 19 and in reply Rose Hill left anchor man Ray Winfield needing three to win, and after hitting just two ones in his previous throws the signs were not looking good, however he upped his game and smashed off four dolls to give Rose Hill the leg and game with 21. Eamon Hanlon top scored with a dozen dolls (3-6-3).
New Club ‘B’ title ambitions are still within reach despite losing their third game on the bounce, this time 2-1 at The Masons Arms ‘B’ in a close fought game. Masons won the opener by the smallest of margins 14-13, New Club levelling in the second leg 21-18. Masons won the deciding leg by the odd doll 17-16.
The clash of the two Six Bells teams saw the C team defeat their B team 3-0 in the leg scores of 18-13, 16-13, 18-9.
SECTION 4
Its very close at the top of Section 4 with Donnington Club and Littlemore Rugby club sharing the lead. Donnington came away from Northway Club C, who had been on a three-game running win, with all three points 18-13, 16-13, 18-9.
The Rugby club also had a 3-0 win away, at The White Hart 14-8, 17-6, 16-11.
Red Lion Yarnton scored one more doll than hosts Ampleforth Arms ‘B’ but still ended up losing. The damage was done in he first two legs with The Amp winning them both 13-11, 15-13. The Amp’s form collapsed in the final leg losing it 9-13.
The George title aspirations took a hit when they lost 2-1 at The Catherine Wheel ‘B’. It could have not come at a worst time for The George to hit their lowest scores of the season as they lost the first leg 8-7, won the next 9-7 but lost the final leg 13-9.
SIXERS:J.Glenister (2) N.Pratley (North Leigh FC) E.Hanlon (Cowley Workers) S.Ward (Black Horse A)
S.Jones (New Club) P.Austin (White House) M.Hewitson (The Swan)
BLOBBERS:
W.Cox (Northway ‘B’) C.Santilquido (White Hart) J.Brown (The George) C.Bower (Red Lion Yarnton)
S.Ings (Ampleforth ‘B’)
HIGHEST DOLLS
15: J.Glenister (North Leigh FC) S.Jones (New Club)
14: D.Mingham (Cricketers) S.Ward (Black Horse A) P.Austin (White House)
13: S.Thompson (Gladiators) D.Green (Ampleforth ‘A’)
HIGHEST LEG SCORE
North Leigh FC 30
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