WHITE Hart Crown Green Bowling Club’s weekend teams face a season-defining set of matches as the campaign nears its conclusion.
In the Warwick and Worcs Saturday Premier League Division Four, Hart conclusively dispatched Yardley Wood Social 209-111 to continue their fight against relegation.
Dave Mahaffey (21-8), Paul Matthews (21-9), Ian Humphreys (21-7) and Dave Kings (21-2) all won to single figures and were supported by Kirk Wright (21-12), Mick Perrins (21-11), Norman Batchelor (21-20), Mike Estell (21-11) and Neil Laxton (21-10).
However, Hart need a return victory at Yardley Wood next week to maintain their place in the same division next season.
In the Northfield and District Sunday League, White Hart A secured a vital 143-121 win at Rubery Sheldon JC in Division Two to leave them in second place, just one point behind leaders Wythall A.
Hart had three winners in the first half – Laxton 21-13, Estell 21-11, and Mike Hancock 21-4 – to put them 22 shots ahead only for the hosts to fight back with three wins of their own before Mahaffey (21-8) settled the tie for Hart with a fine victory.
The club’s final two matches with third-placed Black Horse A will determine which teams earn promotion to the top flight next season.
White Hart B fought well to gain a narrow 147- 141 home win over Black Horse B in Division Three.
Captain Phil Hemming (21-20) and Sheila Humphreys (21-16) were Hart’s two first half winners but they trailed by 11 shots at the midway stage.
However, winning cards from Roger Broome (21-18), Neil Harrison (21-7) and Jack Livingstone (21-17) swung the match in favour of the hosts.
In the Heart of England League Division Two, White Hart A moved a step closer to being crowned champions with a 139-121 win at King George VI A.
There were wins for Laxton (21-14), Steve Jones (21-8), Pete Davenport (21-7), Mahaffey (21-9) and Matthews (21-20).
With two games to play, Hart are now 19 points clear of second-placed Moseley CC.
White Hart B were defeated 142-118 by Ye Olde Knowle B in Division Three with their two winning cards coming from Hemming and John Meredith (both 21-8).
Hart are now 16 points adrift at the bottom of the table and look certain to be playing in Division Four next year.
In the Heart of England Over 60’s League Division One, White Hart A produced a disappointing showing at home to local rivals Alcester A.
Wright defeated John Alderson 21-16, but despite two more wins from Laxton (21-16) and Batchelor (21-9) they suffered an agonising two-shot 104-102 loss.
White Hart B suffered a heavy 126-68 defeat at Hall Green A in Division Tqo and failed to take a single point from their visit.
In the S.W.Birmingham Over 60’s League, White Hart A were relegated from the top flight after a 125-74 defeat at College A with captain Wright (21-20) their only winner as he battled back from a six-shot deficit.
White Hart B pulled further clear of the Division Three relegation zone with a 119-86 home win over Solihull RBL.
Ian Humphreys (21-6) and Perrins (21-9) won comfortably and were well supported in the second half by Meredith (21-18), Gill Croft (21-16) and captain Hancock (21-16).
Hart must win the away fixture against the same opponents to secure their place in the division next season.
