YARNTON British Legion shocked Premier leaders Gladiators by coming from behind to beat them 2-1 at home, writes Andy Beal.

It started off well for Gladiators when chasing a set of 21, they hammered in a reply of 33. Legion set the next leg with 23, and in reply, Gladiators hit 13 at the halfway mark, however a dramatic collapse followed, leaving anchorman Kevin Baker needing five to tie and six to win, and he gave it a good effort but fell one short to give the Legion an unexpected leg win.

In the final leg, Gladiators set and the poor form from the second leg continued, as they could only set a beatable 21. Legion matched that, but with their five-doll handicap, won the leg with 26 to provide the shock of the season so far.

Paul Edwards for the Legion was in top form with a baker’s dozen (3-5-5) while Keith Tanner for Gladiators did likewise (5-4-4).

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Black Horse ‘A’ moved level at the top of Section One with Littlemore British Legion after beating them on their own patch 2-1. Legion set all three legs and won the opener 25-22, however that was to be their only success as Black Horse won the next two legs 30-15, 20-17.

Catherine Wheel ‘C’ remain unbeaten and top Section Two after their latest victory away at Black Horse ‘B’, however it could easily have been their first defeat. A set of 26 was too much for The Wheel who responded with 21.

The second leg was tied 22-22, with Catherine Wheel winning it on three-sticks. They then completed the turnaround in the final leg 22-16. Alan Surman for The Black Horse was top dog with 13 dolls (4-5-4).

The Masons Arms ‘A’ are only three points behind the leaders after they overpowered The Ampleforth Arms ‘A’ 3-0 at home for whom Chris Webb starred with 14 dolls (5-5-4). They won all three legs 25-21, 25-19, 21-18.

Chris Webb for The Ampleforth Arms ‘A’Chris Webb for The Ampleforth Arms ‘A’ (Image: Andy Beal)

The Blackbird’s losing streak continues as they lost their fifth game on the bounce, this time at home to Queens Head who clipped their wings 2-1.

It was looking promising for the Blackbird when they set and won the first leg 15-11, however a set of 20 by the Queens was enough for them to level. In the final leg, Blackbird set 13 and in reply the Queens left anchorman Dean Fitzgerald needing five to win and he fell just one short with four, to send it to a three-stick shootout which Queens won.

SIXERS: J Lane (Northway Club ‘C’), S Ward (Black Horse ‘A’), R Pickett (Red Lion Yarnton).

BLOBBERS: T Merriden (Six Bells B), D Sealey, C Warman (The George).

TOP DOLL SCORERS: 14: C Webb (Masons Arms A); 13: A Surman (Black Horse ‘B’), J Wells (Northway Club B), K Tanner (Gladiators).