Round one of the Punchbowl was on the fixture card for the Sheldon and District Winter League and the two surprising results of the round were supplied by division two teams Shirley RBL Misfits and Highwood ‘B’, who in turn defeated division one opponents Sheldon Social and Langley Hall Sports and Social. Other teams to make it through to the next round were, Crown at Shard End, Yardley Arms, Crown at Olton, George V, Raven, Crown Arrows, Willclare Sports and Social, Sheldon Dukes, EBAHA, Saltley Amateur Gardeners, Shirley RBL Flights, Holy Souls, Highwood ‘A’ and Riley’s Arrows.
Ridgemere Social’s C.Sherwin hit the only maximum of the round as his side lost 6-3 at home to Highwood ‘A’.
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In the Four Oaks and District League the first games of the New Year brought together the top two teams in each division. In division one there was a shock for leaders Sutton Sports as they went down 7-2 away to The Fox Flights and as a result have dropped to third place on the same 12 points as their victors. Taking over at number one is Old Oscott Arrows, whose 8-1 home win over Boldmere Sports gives them a total of 14 points.
In division two top team The Leopard came back from 4-3 down at Deer’s Leap Stags to snatch a narrow 5-4 win to go four points ahead of Stags, while in division three The Heartlands lost the top spot after losing 7-2 at home to their nearest rivals The Beehive, who now have a two points lead over Heartlands and Plough and Barrows, who won 6-3 as hosts to Bishop Vesey.
P.Newman (Boldmere Sports) and M.Gallett (The Fox Flights) hit the only two maximums of the week.
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The Small Heath League got their new season underway and reigning champions Scanlons began in style with an 8-1 win away to Custard House Flights. There were 5-4 wins for Custard House, Cobs Bar and Sheldon Marlborough Flights, who in turn played Emerald Club, Redhill Wonders and Clock Inn.
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The biggest win in the opening games of the new season for the Rowley Monday Night League was 7-2. Four teams, Ivy Bush ‘Z’, Rowley Golf Club, Ex-Serviceman’s and the Bell all achieved the 7-2 win and on the receiving end were Rowley Olympic, Moon Under Water, Fairfield and Springfield Social.
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Riley’s Kings consolidated their top spot in division one of the South Birmingham League with a convincing 8-1 win at home against Punchbowl to keep them four points ahead of the field. Mackadown Social, following their 5-4 win against Raven are currently third on eight points with a game in hand on the leaders, which with a win would close the gap to two points.
It’s tight at the top of division two after leaders Banbury Flights lost 5-4 to second placed Pavilions. The two teams are now locked together on 14 points, played the same number of games and have exactly the same average. This was Banbury’s first defeat of the season in the eight games played so far.
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Riley’s Flights have opened up a four points lead at the top of division one in the Forest of Arden Winter League after beating their nearest rivals Olton Crown 5-4. Highwood ‘A’ and Harvester each won 6-3 against respective opponents Greville Arrows and Riley’s Red Arrows to put them on the same 10 points as Olton Crown.
Division two leaders Crown Arrows returned from Chelmsley Town with an 8-1 verdict to keep them two points to the good on second placed The Crane, who won their home tie with third placed Highwood ‘C’ 7-2, who are a further four points adrift.
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After completing the first five fixtures of the new season, just one leg of average separates Red Lion and Riley’s at the top of the Aston League, both teams having the maximum ten points from their games.
Deer’s Leap moved away from the foot of the table, recording their first win of the campaign, a 7-2 home win against next to bottom Aston Flights.
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After their shock 4-3 defeat against Boot Inn in the Tamworth League last week, Three Horse Shoes bounced back with a 5-2 away win over Three Tuns to put them on 80 points, five ahead of Boot Inn, who also won 5-2 in their home tie with Dolphin Inn. Making it wins for the top three teams Anchor Inn won 4-3 at Sports Bar ‘180’.
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The overall table in the Pip Club League is turning into a two horse race with division two team Belgrave Club leading the way on 102 points after a 12-4 win against Sports Bar ‘180’ and Dosthill Club, who hail from division one and are on 100 points, their latest win being a 13-3 success against Travellers.
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Midland Darts Centre made it five wins in five games in the Camp Hill League when they won 5-2 at Redhill Tavern. Second in the table Scruffy Ringers kept the pressure on the leaders handing out a 7-0 whitewash to their visitors Custard House.
It was good news for bottom of the table Bordesley Labour Club as they recorded their first win in five, a 4-3 win away to mid table Waggoners, however they still remain at the foot of the table.
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