WHITE Hart’s A team were beaten by a very strong Rubery SJC side in the semi-final of the Heart of England Thursday Cup.
The Redditch club had two winners in the home leg – Gary Bennett 21-14 and Tim Hollingshead 21-13 – but were without an away victory, although all Hart players achieved double-figure scores.
The aggregate match score was 153-121 in Rubery’s favour, bringing White Hart’s spirited cup run to an end.
In the HOE Thursday League, White Hart A are already relegated and Rubery SJC again proved superior, beating Hart 156-101 in Division One. Hart had just one winner – Stephen Turner 21-18.
The B team gained some consolation for the club in defeating Rubery SJC B 156-101 at home in Division Four, producing five winning cards from Brian Chatterley 21-4, Dave Edwards 21-6, Anne Batchelor 21-10, John Meredith 21-12 and captain Norman Batchelor 21-6.
In the HOE Over 60s League White Hart A were soundly beaten 123-86 at College AG A in Division One. Stephen Turner was once again the only Hart winner, producing a fine performance in ending Tony Freeth’s previously unbeaten home record 21-18.
The B team were handed a walkover in Division Two as their scheduled opponents Woodbourne B could not field a team for the tie.
In Northfield & District Sunday League, White Hart A kept up their promotion challenge by defeating Hall Green A at home in Division Two.
Following three defeats for Hart in the opening three ties which meant a 24-shot deficit at that stage, wins for Graham Arnott 21-8, Tim Hollingshead 21-18, Paul Matthews 21-10, Ian Humphreys 21-19 and captain Mick Perrins 21-14 finally gave Hart a 144-132 victory, taking them up to second place, five points behind Triplex A and just one ahead of Valley who have a game in hand.
The B team moved to the top of Division Four following a 151-135 victory at Weoley Castle B. Hart had five winners in the tie – Neil Laxton 21-20, Tom Hawkes 21-13, Anne Batchelor 21-14, Norman Batchelor 21-7 and Sheila Humphreys 21-18.
White Hart have already gained promotion from Division Four of the Yardley Wood & District League so a few of the newer club bowlers were given the chance to perform at The Maggies.
Hart were defeated 137-120 but produced three winning cards from Stuart Wood (21-9), John Meredith (21-17) and captain Kirk Wright (21-6).
In the SW Birmingham Tuesday Over 60s League, White Hart B kept alive their slim hopes of avoiding relegation from Division Three by defeating visitors Small Heath AG 116-83.
The Redditch team had five winners – Sheila Humphreys 21-1, Kirk Wright 21-12, Roger Broome 21-14, Anne Batchelor 21-17 and Brian Chatterley 21-18.
Neil Laxton won the White Hart Club Championship on Saturday from a tournament entry of 17 bowlers.
After beating Gary Bennett in his semi-final, Laxton went on to defeat Gill Croft 21-13 in the final. Croft had previously beaten Dave Edwards in the other semi.
