Week 4...

Some very close games were fought out this week, 3 of them finishing with victories by a margin of just 1 point along with 1 match with a 2 point winning advantage.

It was also “Derby Day” for many of the pubs with two teams playing from the same premises. In the A League, the Ox-fford just edged out the Ox-fford ‘C’ 146 – 134, Mark Watson top-scoring for the Ox-fford whilst Haydn Thompson and Alice Walker continue their neck and neck similar scores for the Ox-fford ‘C’ with 33 apiece.

The Dolphin Derby ended with victory for the Dolphin over the Dolphin Dragons by 149 – 129. Alan Hodgson scored 33 for the Dolphin whilst Peter McBride and Stuart Rowbotham also scored excellent 30s. Liz Horrocks scored a season’s best 42 whilst Chris Wearne also had a “pb” with 33 for the Dragons.

In the remaining game, the Harrington Academicals scored their first win of the campaign with a 144 – 113 victory over the Castle, assisted by 33 from silver fox Stuart Mills. Jeff Corry top scored with 24 for the Castle.

The B League saw 2 of the games with 1 point margins. The Plough Derby finished with a 123 – 122 win for the Taverners over the Horntails. Phil Davies scored 30 for the Taverners and Malcolm Asquith did the same for the Horntails.

The other nail-biter was a 124 – 123 win for the Albion over the New Castle. John Hargreaves scored a top class 39 for the London road outfit, whilst Graham Wallace was as reliable as ever with 30 for the Church Street boys and girl.

The Waters Green Phoenix move to third in the table with a 144 – 115 win over the British Flag. Bob Langstaff used the acquired knowledge of his 85 years (at least, surely…) to score 39 for the WGP, whilst Wendy Brown had her second 30 in three games too to enter the “Top 10” individual table. Ian Tams flew the Flag’s flag most strongly with 27.

The unstoppable force that seems to be the Knot Inn continued their 100% start to the season with a 122 – 116 win over the Church House Bollington. Brian Bogie top scored for the Knot on the night with 27 whilst Art Higham’s 21 leaves him joint top of the Individual table along with Bob Langstaff from the Phoenix and the New Castle’s Shauna Barstow. Ed Baron and Rick Davis both scored 27 for the CHB.

The Baths Speedos remain the only unbeaten C League team after their 125 – 106 win over the Sutton Church House. Andy Bailey (36) and Dave Cooper (33) top scored for the Speedsters whilst Win Greenwood did the same with 30 for the Church House.

The Church House’s near neighbours at the Lamb Inn top the table after their 113 – 112 win over the Royal Oak. Marshall Barnard pulled out the stops with 33 for the Lamb whilst Chris Bogie (27) and Alan James (24) did the Royal Oak proud.

Just 2 points separated old rivals the Chester Road Tavern and Waters Green Rams, with the CRT (which sounds like some sort of drug) having the edge this time. Tony and Jim of the Moores dynasty scored 24 whilst Bill of that ilk had a season’s best 21.

A very warm welcome back to this arena is extended to Steve Auty who rolled back the years with 30 for the Rams. Steve – good to see that you never forget any of this stuff!

Finally, the Harrington ‘B’ beat the Cock Inn 124 – 104, Geoff Parkin and John Green chipping in 24 apiece for the Harrington, Jackie Hulme doing likewise for the Cock.