Well, here we are week 18 and for many it’s still all to play for with only 3 of the 6 sections winners already decided! In sections A, B and C it’s congratulations to Abingdon Utd/Con Club who by defeating Plum Pudding 4-2 last week secured the Premier section title once again, In the B section College Oak A have clearly enjoyed their new surroundings and have dominated the B section and emerged as worthy section winners and in the C section Grapes B have led the table for much of the season and deservedly clinched the C section title.
Amazingly in all of the 7 sections the runners up slots is still up for grabs in every section so tomorrow night means there is still lots to play for. Likewise the top doll scorers in each of the sections look to be a last game scramble in several of the sections and in both the B and C sections only one doll separates the top 2 doll scorers and in the D section potentially it is still between 4 players to earn the mantle of “top dolly”.
So after an 18 week season there is still lots of competition both at team and individual level. This season, I think, that whilst many people suggest our game is “dying” the level of competitiveness, the results and participation of 51 teams suggest that some of the negativity lots of us still enjoying our Wednesday night “Aunt Sally fix”.
Well what about last week’s results. A close encounter between Abingdon Utd/Con Club and Plum Pudding saw a 4-2 victory for the newly crowned Premier Section champions for whom Dave Dix not surprisingly top scored with his best of the season 15 dolls ably supported by teammates Paul Barrett and the legendary Barry Parker who scored 10 apiece in United’s 24-23, 24-19, 20-23 win. Scott Humphries usually so consistent had a night to forget for United, but for Plum Ken Fisher hit 14 dolls, his best of the season and the “Mr Consistent” Barry Townsend added 11 dolls. Plum were missing Phil Adams so maybe his absence would have made the result even closer.
In the race for runners up both Croft Nomads and Steventon Sports A went down 4-2. The Croft at The Vine who hit their highest doll count of the season with 70 dolls for whom skipper Roy Harrison hitting his first double digit score of the season and in the 3 legs The Vine avoided any blobs. Foe Croft Steve Enock hit another 11 dolls and Alan Bell 10, but despite a 28 third leg score Croft failed to take advantage of their chase for the runners up spot which means Steventon Sports only need to win a leg when the 2 sides meet at Steventon tomorrow.
Other double digit scorers in the league last week were Mickey Phillips and Dave Hudson for the Bystander A, I( think in both cases his was their best scores of the season), Ian Rogers with 10 for the Red Lion, Kevin “the brush” Chapman for College Oak A, Andy Shipman for 10 Harwellian B, Dave Sapey also with 10 for Abingdon RBL, Colin Cherrill hit 11 dolls for the Fox at Denchworth and Mark Brind late of Steventon Sports also hit 11 dolls for his 2023 home team The Plough Hanney in Section D.
In the next review we will look back across the season the “highs and lows”, the “might have beens” and the feedback we have received (which is always welcome) whether it be good or bad, preferably not personal or abusive!! and look forward to the Winter League competition which starts in a couple of weeks and the 2024 summer season.
Don’t forget Finals Night will take place at Abingdon United on Wednesday 13th with the 8’s, 5’s, 4’s, 3′, Captains and Secretaries finals all taking place from 7.30 and the following week it’s the Founder’s and Legends Trophy for over 50’s which will be held, this year, at Abingdon Conservatice Club
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