JAMES Morrison (New Club ‘A’) wrote his name into Oxford Aunt Sally history after hitting the 18-doll maximum at North Leigh, writes Andy Beal.
Since records began in 1938, the maximum has only been hit 22 times, by 17 different players, the last time being in 2018.
It started off well for North Leigh when they won the opening leg 28-23, however this was to be their only success as New Club hit back in the next two legs 30-19, 24-19. Adrian Shepherd threw well for his 13 dolls (3-5-5) for New Club.
Yarnton British Legion completed the double over Premier leaders The Gladiators by hitting their best scores of the season.
Yarnton set and won the first leg 27-25. Gladiators levelled in the next leg, setting and winning it 25-21. Yarnton won the all-important toss in the third leg and decided to set, and it proved to be the right call as they set and won it 29-27.
Dave Behan was in top form for the Legion with 14 dolls (5-3-6) while for The Gladiators, Kevin Baker hit 15 dolls (5-5-5) for the second successive week and was supported well by Chris Jenkins with 13 dolls (5-4-4).
Thanks to @LeighCurtis_DT for his brilliant insight into #oufc summer signing Louie Sibleyhttps://t.co/tdNwr7VHMr
— Liam Rice (@OxMailLiamRice) July 9, 2024
White House came away from a tricky game at Garsington Sports with a 2-1 win. The Sportsmen set and won the opening leg 21-19. White House set and won the second leg 24-21. Garsington set 22 in the final and deciding leg, which almost proved to be enough as White House just sneaked over the line with 23 to give them the leg and game.
Newly crowned world champion Roger Goodall with a baker’s dozen (4-5-4) was top dog for the White House.
Graham Reading led the way with 14 dolls (4-5-5) and was supported by Martin Herbert (3-6-4) to guide The Swan to a 3-0 win away at The Catherine Wheel ‘A’.
They comfortably won the first two legs 25-23, 28-20 and then set 23 in the final leg. A mixed response from The Swan left anchorman Keith Powell needing four to win, and he was up to the task, whipping off the winning doll with his final stick.
SIXERS: J Morrison (New Club), D Behan (Yarnton British Legion), R Bradford (White House), N Edmonds (Six Bells C), T Eeles (Rose Hill Club), J Wells (Northway Club ‘B’), M Herbert (The Swan).
BLOBBERS: M Bonfield (Catherine Wheel B), K Strand (Vikings Sport).
TOP DOLL SCORERS: 18: J Morrison (New Club); 15: K Baker (Gladiators); 14: D Behan (Yarnton British Legion), C Webb (Masons Arms ‘A’), G Reading (The Swan); 13: C Jenkins (Gladiators), R Goodall (White House), N Edmonds (Six Bells C), A Shepherd (New Club ‘A’), M Herbert (The Swan).
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