Warwickshire lost valuable ground in the premier division title race in the BDO Inter Counties Championships, when they made the short journey to take on local rivals Staffordshire and finished on the wrong side of a 24-15 result, which leaves them twelve points adrift of Yorkshire, who currently lead the field.
Highlight of the weekend was the 8-4 win by the men’s ’A’ side with Kevin Dowling taking the match award with a 29.06 average. However, the ’B’ team was trounced 10-2, their man of the match being Colin Laffar (25.28).
There was bad news for the ladies as the ’A’ team lost there 100% record. After five consecutive wins, they went down 4-2, Trina Gulliver chalking up Warwickshire’s best average of the weekend, a great 30.67. The ’B’ side did a little better, after leading 2-1, were losing 3-2, then finished all square at 3-3. Betty Sinnett (19.01) was their top lady.
In division three West Midlands played hosts to Leicestershire and made it three wins in a row with a 28-11 scoreline to reduce the arrears on second placed Cornwall by one point to leave a deficiency of just four points and they play them at home in the next fixture. There was success for both the men’s teams as the ’A’ won 10-2 (Richard Foster 30.92 man of the match) and the ’B’ 9-3 with Adrian Arnold (27.33) their highest average.
Both of the ladies teams ended all square at three each, Janet Hubbard (19.78) and Angie Perry (16.70) taking the respective ’A’ and ’B’ awards.
———————————-
Cup games were on the fixture card for the Forest of Arden Winter league. In the semi finals of the Presidents Cup Highwood Arrows had a convincing 7-2 win over Mackadown Social, while the Highwood had a much closer 5-4 win against Hobs Meadow Mixes to set up an all Highwood final, which will be staged at the Highwood on 9th March.
In the quarter finals of the Consolation Cup Harvester beat Sheldon Heath Social Flights 6-3, Greville Arrows went out7-2 to Hobs Meadow and Greville Arms had a bye. The match between Red Arrows and Farringdon Social is yet to be played.
The draw for the semi finals of the divisional cup’s are, premier division, Highwood v Highwood Arrows the Highwood, and Red Arrows v Hobs Meadow at the Harvester , division one, Harvester v Greville Arrows at Sheldon Heath Social Flights and Mackadown Social v Farringdon Social at Red Arrows.
———————————-
The George continue to hold pole position in division one of the Harborne and District Winter league, their latest success a 6-1 win over the Raven to give them a six points cushion over second in the table Hillyfields, who have a game in hand. B.Davenport was Raven’s top shot as he rattled off scores of 2×140,156,105 and 2×100.
In the second division leaders Coopers Arms, with the help of a maximum form M.Heskins, handed out a 7-0 whitewash to the Highlander to maintain their two points lead over nearest rivals the Pheasant, who won 5-2 at Harborne Stores.
———————————-
Congratulations to Dave Carter (Antelope) who has won the Small Heath Winter league’s Charity Shield Knockout. Dave took the honours with a final win over Kevin Taylor from the Gunmakers Arms. Losing semi finalists were Chris Stoke (Victoria 301 Club) and Neil Parsonage (Gunmakers Arms).
———————————-
Only one point separates the top two teams in division one of the Longwood Winter League. The Globe, with a 7-1 win at Red Lion ’B’ are top of the table with Winning Post, who beat fourth place White Lion 5-3 second.
In the second division leaders Mercian lost the chance to increase their one point advantage when they could only draw 4-4 at Cue Sports Club, as their nearest rivals, Queens ’B’ went down 5-3 at the Three Horse Shoes, but Queens do have a match in hand.
———————————-
Malt Shovel are currently top of the Gulp Charity league on 14 points from 8 games. Brewer and Baker are second on 12 points from 9, but third placed Victoria 301 Club have only played seven of their fixtures and have ten points. Wins in their outstanding fixtures could see Victoria overtake Brewer and Baker and put pressure on the leaders.
———————————-
The Sheldon and District Winter league will be staging the quarter finals of their Punch Bowl and round one of the Sheldon Shield tomorrow (26-02-2004). The draw for the Punch Bowl is, Pavilions v Highwood, Iron Horse v Lea Hall Sports and Social, Saltley Amateur Gardeners v St Anne’s, Gunmakers Arms v Three Horse Shoes, and for the Sheldon Shield, Sheldon Shoes v Hen and Chickens, Banbury Club v Sedgemere Flights, RAFA v Shard End Social, Sheldon Social v Shard End RBL, Millhouse v Vaughans, Glebe Community Centre v Shard End RBL Flights, Sheldon and Marlboro v Fordbridge Social, EBAHA v Harvester.
———————————-