The New Year got off to a good start for Warwickshire in the premier division of the Rileys BDO Inter Counties Championships. After three consecutive defeats in the opening three fixtures of the season Warwickshire were without a win, but an away game against Cambridgeshire saw them remedy that as they returned with a 19-17 victory. Despite the win Warwickshire remain rooted to the foot of the table on 60 points, eight adrift of their nearest rivals Gwent.
There were wins for both of the men’s teams, the ’A’ side winning 7-5 with Mark Harris (30.29) their top player and the ’B’ recording an 8-4 win, Scott Rand (30.12) taking the match award. Trina Gulliver (21.47) was the ladies ’A’ top player in a game that finished all square at 3-3, while Pat Roberts (15.68) was the ’B’ teams sole winner as they went down 5-1.
Let’s hope the is the kick start Warwickshire needed to keep their premier division status alive.
In division two it was good news also for West Midlands as they romped to a 26-10 win at home to bottom of the table Buckinghamshire. The win as lifted West Midlands from seventh in the table to second place, 15 points off leaders London. Highlight of the weekend was the fantastic 12-0 whitewash the men’s ’A’ handed out to their counterparts with Steve Farmer impressing with a top average of 31.98. The ‘B’ side had an 8-4 win with Richard Foster (26.19) their top man.
The ladies teams both had 4-2 results with the ‘B’ winning and the ‘A’ losing, lady of the match awards went respectively to Jacqui Simmons (16.36) and Leanne Jennings (20.43).
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Division one in the Four Oaks and District League produced a top of the table clash between third placed Sportsmans Rest and leaders Sutton Sports. Prior to the encounter Sutton were unbeaten in eight games and looked to be extending that run when they opened up a 4-3 lead. However, Sportsmans held on and went on to win 5-4 and move to within two points of the leaders. Second placed Boldmere Sports also slipped up as they lost 5-4 at Anvil Nomads and are now level on points with Sportsmans and have played one more game.
The top two teams in division two also played each other and it was a convincing 8-1 win for top team The Fox to make it nine straight wins and give them a six points lead over their opponents Fox and Dogs, who as a result have dropped to fourth in the table. G.Drew (Aston Social) hit the only maximum of the week as his side lost 6-3 at home to Deer’s Leap
Division three also produced a shock as bottom of the division Bromford Social won the last game to beat White Lion Barrels 5-4 and in the process double their points tally for the season.
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Tonight is the final registration night for the Forest of Arden League’s Individual Double Top League. The league which is to be staged at and sponsored by Rileys Bar, Solihull still has vacancies for approximately 18 players and should the 48 members be achieved prize money will range from £650 for the winner down to £30 for the 18th placed player. Entries, plus a £10 registration fee must be paid between 7.00pm and 9.00pm this evening at the club.
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Congratulations to John Young (Devils) and Tony Daly (Shaftsmoor) who have won the Gulp League’s Blind Doubles Knockout. The winning duo picked up the silverware after a final victory over John McCaffrey (Devils) and Stuart Ollerenshaw (Beasts).
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The Delegates Knockout was on the cards for the Small Heath League. Playing in three groups winner of group one was Micky Nunn (Mitre), group two Jason Evans (Beaufort Social Club) and group three John McCaffrey (Devils).
Winner of the Ladies Singles competition was Devil’s player Jean Forde who beat Leanne Hickey (Emerald Club) in the final.
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In division one of the Pip Club League Sports Bar 180 were in tremendous form as they handed out a massive 16-0 whitewash to Winning Post.
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