As all the week 14 results are in I thought I would round up the highs and lows of the last two weeks in one update so apologies if many of the same names mentioned (like Dave Dix and Abingdon United B) get even more mentions this week!
Well let’s start with them. 6-0 victories against Berinsfield A and College Oak A in the past 2 weeks have seen them go 6 points clear of their nearest rivals Plum Pudding who themselves have climbed clear of 3rd placed Croft Nomads whom they beat 4-2 last week.
Inevitably “magic arm” Dix led the way with 29 dolls over the two weeks, in simple terms that’s a strike rate of 81%, his average for the season is now over 4.5 dolls per throw. Question? Can he ever get any better?
Answer ………….Probably!!
His team mates are not slow in supporting him with Alec Chamberlain consistently in double figures and last week adding another 6 in his total of 12 dolls and the previous week Leigh Clapton hit 11 dolls and last week both Nick Baldwin and Bob Duff hit 10 apiece! That’s it no more about Abingdon United, well at least until next week!
Elsewhere in the Premier Croft Nomads had 3 players contributing double figure scores Steve Enock and Alan Bell with 12 apiece and not to mention Paul Stone cajoled out of “retirement” this year with his first double figures of the season scoring 11 . POW veterans though denied Croft all 6 points with a second leg score of 24 being the best of the match
Other “sixers” to mention and with their first of the season for Dean Bowler, Graham Brind and Dave Sapey who all joined the still relatively exclusive “sixers” club. Lots of commendable double figures scores registered in the past 2 weeks across all sections and lots of individual leg scores of 5’s although for Lloyd Woodrington his 5 was sandwiched between 2 blobs so a mixed night for him!
In week 14, the best individual scores matched the week number with both Terry Downes and Dean Bowler of the Plum Pudding and Red Lion A respectively both hitting 14. as we get towards the end of the season I wonder whether we will get any more individual scores matching the week number, maybe Dixie in week 18! No pressure Dave! Terry’s 14 dolls made a major contribution to Plum Pudding’s 4-2 victory over Croft Nomads which widened the gap between the second and third placed Premier sides. It was amixed night with Croft “gifting” the first leg by only setting 14 which included the handicap of 3! and then Plum fell well short of their usual high standard with a set of just 17 in the final leg which Croft just managed to squeeze by!
In Section B Royal Oak seem to be enjoying a late run winning their last 4 after failing to win any of their previous 6, whilst in the A section the good early season form of The Vine appears to have faltered as they have only collected 5 points from a possible 18. Maybe all of the good Wednesday evening weather is getting to them! They will be hoping for better this week when they take on Abingdon United in the first semi final of the 8’s competition! Damn, I said I wasn’t going to mention Abingdon United again, but it’s just not possible is it?
In the A section the race for the top spot appears now to be between Berinsfield and Red Lion A who are due to meet on August 24th and at the moment are separated by just 3 points.
In the B section Stanford in the Vale FC are 9 points clear with 24 points still to play for, C section sees Red Lion C heading the table 6 points clear whilst the Flying Feathers in that section are still seeking to “spread their wings” with a first win of the season, but they are just a handful of points away from the two teams immediately above them who they still have to play! All to play for! I know Mark Newman will be delighted if he is has to enter a match card as a winning captain before the end of the season!
In the D section it looks like it’s HarwellianB’s title to lose as they are 14 points clear and Andy Shipman has been in fine individual form for them with his doll average in excess of 3 the best outside of the top section.
The E section has featured many of our new and returning teams and lots of players new to the game and although scoring is not always remarkable at team or individual level the enthusiasm, competitiveness and fun don’t seem to be in short supply and that really is what our game is all about! Midget look title favourites here, but you know what they say ” it’s not over until the fat lady sings”
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