CAPTAIN Martin Cook was in superb form as he clanged off 15 dolls (5-6-4) for The Gladiators in their 2-1 home win against North Leigh FC, writes Andy Beal.
Gladiators set the opening leg with an imposing 27, however in reply, North Leigh left anchorman Spencer Buckingham needing three to win, which he duly succeeded with his final stick to give North Leigh an early lead.
Gladiators hit straight back in the next two legs, setting and winning them both with ease 30-15, 25-15. Kevin Giles with 13 dolls (6-3-4) chipped in for Gladiators.
Martin Cook for The Gladiators (Image: Andy Beal)
James Morrison’s exceptional form continued as he whipped off 14 dolls (3-6-5) for The New Club in their 2-1 win over reigning champions The White House, who won the first leg with ease 26-21.
Chasing a set of 26 in the second leg, New Club’s anchorman Mark Washington needed only three to win and surpassed that with a five, to win the leg with 29. In the final and deciding leg, New Club set a beatable 24, however some erratic throwing left White House short with 21, to give New Club victory and move into second spot. Darren Grant and Rob Bradford with a dozen dolls each were the only bright spots for The White House.
Littlemore British Legion lead Section One after they defeated The Swan 2-1 on their own patch. It started off well for The Swan, winning the opening leg 23-20, however The Legion stormed back in the next two legs 27-20, 31-16. Tom Finney for The Legion bagged his first ever six in his dozen dolls (3-3-6).
In Section Two, Bletchington Sports and Catherine Wheel ‘C’ both hit the same number of dolls, however it was Catherine Wheel who came away victorious in an extremely close and well-contested game. The first leg was tied 16-16, with The Wheel winning it on three sticks, and they then went two up in the next leg by the smallest of margins 13-12. Bletchington won the final leg for a deserved point, setting and winning it 17-16. Steve Tooke with a dozen dolls (3-4-5) was top dog for The Wheel.
The first two legs between hosts Black Horse ‘B’ and The Masons ‘A’ were very tight, with The Masons winning the opener 17-16. Black Horse levelled in the next leg on three-sticks after it was tied 17-17. Masons secured victory in the final leg 23-16. Neil Gaul was in top form for The Masons with 12 dolls (3-5-4).
Seacourt Bridge had to come from behind to beat The Blackbird on their own turf, who won the first leg 19-16. Seacourt won the second leg 17-14 and completed the turnaround in the final leg 15-13. Steve Buckle threw well for The Blackbird with 11 dolls (4-4-3).
SIXERS: M Cook, K Giles (Gladiators), T Finney (Littlemore British Legion), J Morrison (New Club ‘A’), I McAteer (White House), N Edmonds (Six Bells ‘C’).
BLOBBERS: M Williams (Ampleforth ‘B’), M Lyons (Masons Arms ‘B’).
TOP DOLL SCORERS: 15: M Cook (Gladiators ‘A’); 14: J Morrison (New Club ‘A’); 13: K Giles (Gladiators ‘A’).
Comments: Our rules
We want our comments to be a lively and valuable part of our community - a place where readers can debate and engage with the most important local issues. The ability to comment on our stories is a privilege, not a right, however, and that privilege may be withdrawn if it is abused or misused.
Please report any comments that break our rules.
Read the rules here