WHITE Hart know a victory at Banbury this weekend is vital to their promotion hopes in Warwick and Worcester League Division Four following a surprise home defeat.
After two successive wins, White Hart went down 203-216 to Banbury as the visitors took seven of the 12 ties. Graham Arnott (21-15), Norman Batchelor (21-16), Mick Perrins (21-15), Mike Hancock (21-10) and Dave Kings (21-13) provided the winning cards for the Redditch club.
Hart drop to sixth place in the table but are still only four points from the top.
In the Yardley Wood Superleague, White Hart A are now in the driving seat in their quest for the Division Three title after a comfortable 165-106 home victory over Wythall A.
They had six winning cards from Neil Laxton (21-4), Dave Kings (21-5), Graham Arnott (21-13), Mike Hancock (21-17), Mick Perrins (21-16) and captain Kirk Wright (21-9). Hart are now 11 points clear of Alcester A and have three games in hand on their local rivals.
White Hart B suffered a heavy home defeat in Division 4 by 104-155 against Alcester B, having just two winners in Denis Turner (21-10) and captain Tony Buckley (21-19).
In the Heart of England Thursday League, promotion-chasing White Hart A were narrowly beaten 128-139 at Baldwin A in Division Two, despite having the best of the match in the first half. Kirk Wright (21-12) and Ian Humphreys (21-11) gave them a flying start but they could only add two more winning cards from Mike Estell (21-14) and Stephen Turner (21-18).
However, the three points they took from the tie meant they are now only three points behind leaders Triplex who could only achieve two points from their match at Hockley Heath.
White Hart B easily accounted for Rubery SJC 166-121 in Division Four at home with six winners in Gill Croft )21-18), Brian Chatterley (21-14), Sue Sugden (21-18), Dave Kings (21-1), Dave Edwards (21-9) and Roger Broome (21-19) and are now only three points away from a promotion position.
In the HOE Over-60s Friday League Division One, White Hart A achieved a fine away victory at Black Horse A. Kirk Wright (21-6) and captain Mike Estell (21-17) put them in command in the first half before Graham Arnott (21-8) and Ian Humphreys (21-11) secured victory for the visitors.
Hart’s B team also achieved a much-needed 120-98 home win over Bournville Sports A in Division Two with five winners (Mick Perrins 21-8, Sheila Humphreys 21-20, Gill Croft 21-19, Tom Hawkes 21-19 and captain Brian Chatterley 21-11). They were previously hovering dangerously near the relegation places but they are now 18 points clear of the danger zone.
In the SW Birmingham Over-60s League Division One White Hart A enjoyed a welcome victory at home over AG College A after three recent defeats. Graham Arnott (21-15) and Mike Estell (21-4) put them in a winning position and even though they had only one winner (Mick Perrins 21-8) in the second half the Redditch club still ran out 115-90 winners.
Beginners/Novices classes are still being held at The White Hart green every Monday evening from 6.15 pm to 8pm. Contact Kirk Wright on 07707756641 for more details and to book places.
