It was not good news for either Warwickshire or West Midlands in their latest round of fixtures in the BDO Inter Counties Championships. Both teams had home advantage and both finished on the wrong side of 19-17 scorelines.
Warwickshire played against local rivals Staffordshire. The men’s ‘A’ side raced into a 6-2 lead, while the ‘B’ also looked comfortable at 6-3, unfortunately both of them threw away their vital leads and finished all square at six each. The ladies ‘A’ went 4-0 down, wins from Julie Dwyer (19.52 lady of the match) and Lesley Newcombe making the result a little more respectable at 4-2. The ‘B’ team took a 3-2 lead but lost the final game and ended the day at 3-3, Denise Burke the top player with a 15.67 average.
Match award winners for the men were Mick Bagley (‘A’ 29.67) and David Wykes (‘B’ 30.67).
West Midlands played hosts to Breconshire, heavy defeats from the ladies proving to be their downfall as they conceded their second successive defeat.
Paddy Johnson (25.88) helped the ‘B’ team maintain their 100% record as they stormed to an 8-4 victory. The ‘A’ having to be satisfied with a draw Richard Foster taking the award with a very creditable 32.67 average, Teresa Johnston (19.78) was the ladies ‘B’ only winner and Claire Downing (13.81) won the ‘A’ sides award in their 4-2 reversal.
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At the halfway stage of the Forest of Arden Winter League, Highwood Arrows, following their 8-1 win at the Cock and Hens, are able to boast a 100% win record. They now have a six points buffer over their nearest rivals Red Arrows, who beat Old Bill and Bull 7-2. Third placed Glades accounted for Hobs Meadow with a 5-4 result giving them a four points advantage over their fifth placed opponents.
In the league’s singles knockout’s Andy Hutchings (Highwood Arrows) won the men’s title with a final success against Red Arrows representative Rob South. Hutchings accounted for his teammate Jim Norris in the semi’s, while South defeated his fellow Red Arrows player John Cartmell.
Pat Hussey (Cock and Hens) won the ladies final, with Pat Whing (Mackadown Social) runner up. Losing semi finalists were, Sue Comerford 9Harvester) and Stephanie Didierserre (Cock and Hens).
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A 5-4 win at the George secures the runners up spot for the Bell in division one of the Harborne and District Winter League W.C.WMC guaranteed their division status with a 5-4 success over the Highlander, while bottom of the table New Inns remain pointless after a 7-2 defeat against the Raven.
The battle for the title continues in division two, Hillyfields leading the field with an 8-1 win against Bartley Green Social Flights, while second placed Smethwick Labour Club lost ground as they went down 5-4 at home to the Punchbowl and as a result are now two points adrift.
In division three the Cock Inn and Travellers Rest are locked together on 22 points, the former having a slightly superior average.
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Despite a 2-1 defeat by Robert Thompson, Robert Mills came bouncing back with a 2-1 win against Mick Smith and as a result holds on to pole position in the Belgrave Social Individual League. However, Mills now has only a one point advantage over second in the table Mick Smith who has a game in hand. Fourth placed Mark Hollyoake cannot be taken out of the reckoning although he is twelve points adrift, because he has four games in hand.
Derek Fardon, Gordon Clinton and John Turner all hit a maximum.
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There were high scoring wins for the top three teams in the premier division of the Sheldon and District Winter League. Leaders Malt Shovel and their nearest rivals Saltley Amateur Gardeners had 7-2 wins respectively over Iron Horse and Hobs Meadow. St Anne’s, currently third chalked up a 9-0 whitewash in their game with Castle Vale Residents Association.
In division one British Telecom Club narrowed the gap between them and top team EBAHA to four points with a 6-3 win over Solihull Borough F.C, as EBAHA lost their home tie with Shard End Social 5-4.
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Only average separates Lea Hall Sports and Social and the Millhouse in the second division, but Millhouse have played one game fewer. Lea Hall beat Journeys End 9-0, while Millhouse got the better of Sheldon Shoes with a 6-3 verdict.
The quarter finals of the Punchbowl, and round one Sheldon Shield will be staged tomorrow night (20-02-2003). The draw for the Punchbowl is Three Horse Shoes v Iron Horse, Highwood v EBAHA, Saltley Amateur Gardeners v Solihull Borough F.C, Malt Shovel v Sheldon and Marlboro.
The Sheldon Shield draw is, Fordbridge Social v British Telecom Club, Castle Vale residents Association v Horseshoes, Raven v Lea Hall Sports and Social, Hobs Meadow v Shannons, Shard End Social v Victoria Social, Dovecote v Old Bill and Bull, Banbury Club v Sedgemere Flights, Pavilions v Yardley Ex Service.
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The Small Heath league have been involved in the Delegates Knockouts. Winner of group one was Neil Parsonage (Black Horse)with Colin Wyatt (Gunmakers) runner up. The group two title went to Gunmakers Terry Webster, who beat Colin Jones (Ward End Ex Service Club) in the final, another Gunmakers player and another Webster, this time Tom. won group three’s event, beating Antelope’s Noel Cook in the final.
Winner of the ladies knockout was Vicky Hanlon, yet another Gunmakers representative. Runner up on this occasion was Donna Wheeler from, you guessed, the Gunmakers.
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Our thoughts go out to Gloria Lightwood minutes secretary of the Camp Hill and District League and also secretary and player for the Antelope. Gloria recently lost her partner “Spanky” Brown. All players offer their deepest sympathy on you sad loss.
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