SINGLES REPORT

League games took a rest this week as the singles competitions took place. In the Oxford singles played at four different venues three former finalists fought their way to the semi-final play offs, Andy Beal & Kevin Baker (Gladiators), Roger Goodall (White House) with Stuart Bishop (Ampleforth) making up the final semi-finalist.
Played a four different venues down to the winner, at Littlemore British Legion, Kevin Baker dispatched of Ray Grant (North Leigh) 2-0 in the first round 3-2,3-2. In the next round he was drawn against Walter Harwood from Bletchingdon sports and a set of 5 gave him an early lead when Harwood replied with 3. Baker won the next leg and game on three sticks after it was tied 3-3.
In the final game he was pitted up against teammate and four times runner up Kevin Giles. Baker set and won the opening leg 4-3 and in the next leg Giles decided to set and a disastrous throw by Giles he blobbed out, leaving Baker to hit the wining doll with his first stick.

Played at The Cricketers two times runner up Andy Beal went through without dropping a leg but had a couple of tough games. In the first round against Mark Bayliss (Littlemore British Legion) a set of 1 by Bayliss was never going to be enough as Beal hit the two needed. Second leg a set of 4 by Beal was enough as Bayliss could only hit 2 in reply. In the next round against Paul Edwards (Yarnton British Legion) the first leg had to be decided on a one stick shootout after it was drawn 3-3 and 1-1 on three sticks before Beal prevailed hitting the only doll in the one sticker. A set of 4 in the second leg by Beal was enough to see him through.
Next round against Neil Pratley (North Leigh FC) Beal won the opener 4-1. Second leg was tied 2-2 before Beal won the three sticker 2-1.
In the final game two sets of 3 & 5 saw Beal though against Dave Trim (Yarnton B.L.) 2-0.

Played at The Ampleforth Arms, Roger Goodall was drawn against Catherine Wheel opponents all the way through and won the first round opening leg against Graham Hambridge on three sticks 2-1 after it was tied 3-3, and won the second leg 3-2. In the next round once again had to rely on three sticks to win the opening leg against Phil Cassidy after it was tied 2-2. Goodall sneaked the second leg 2-1.
In the final game against Jonny McMahon Goodall won both legs 3-2, 2-1.

The final round of games played at The Masons Arms Stuart Bishop had an easy start against former teammate Dave Simms (New Club) when Simms failed to trouble the doll in the opening leg. Bishop set 3 in the second leg which Simms matched. A maximum 3 in the three sticker saw Bishop through when Simms hit one in reply.
In the next round against our main sponsor Kevin Stuart, Bishop set and won the first leg 3-2. Stuart levelled in the next leg 2-1 and then set 3 in the final and deciding leg, which Bishop matched. Stuart then set one in the three sticker, which was not enough as Bishop clanged off the two needed to send him through to the final game of the night against Pete Rampton (Black Horse) who had been the most consistent player of the evening.
Bishop set in the opening leg with an impressive 5, in reply Rampton just fell short with 4. Rampton levelled in the next leg hitting 3 when chasing a set of 2. Final and deciding leg, as set of 4 by Bishop was enough to send him through to the play offs.

There will be a new name on The Ted Houghton singles cup after Jack Lane from Northway Club C and Aiden Cadle from Rose Hill Club battled their way through to their first ever final. Played at Cowley Workers club down to the final Cadle beat teammate Lloyd Barrett 2-0 in the 1st round. He was then drawn against another teammate Brian Lovatt in the next round, who won the first leg 2-1. Cadle levelled in the next leg on three sticks after it was tied 3-3 and then set and won the final leg with 3.
In the semi-final against Nick Edmonds (Six Bells C) the opening leg was tied and went to three sticks. Cadle set an unbeatable 3 out of 3 which gave him and early lead. Edmonds levelled in the second leg on three sticks (2-1) after it was tied 2-2. Final and deciding leg Cadle snatched it by the odd doll 3-2 to send him into his first final.
Jack Lane had a comfortable 2-0 win over Steve Bull (Rose Hill) in the first round, and then threw exceptionally well against an in-form Doug Mingham (Cricketers) hitting a 4 & 5 for a two nil win in the next round. In the semi-final Lane again won 2-0 this time against Dave Rudman (Littlemore Rugby club).

The only six from both competitions came from Dave Rudman.

KEVIN BAKER

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