WHITE Hart A have virtually secured the Yardley Wood Superleague Division Three title after two vital victories in three days.
They gained maximum points from a home win over Hall Green with victories from Ray Richards 21-11, Gill Croft 21-12, Dave Kings 21-16, Mike Hancock 21-13, Mick Perrins 21-18, Tim Hollingshead 21-16, Neil Laxton and captain Kirk Wright both 21-20, followed by a surprisingly comfortable 152-109 win at title rivals British Oak B.
In what was expected to be a difficult match for the Redditch club, Dave Kings (21-2) and Kirk Wright (21-7) got them off to a flying start before Tim Hollingshead (21-8), division averages winner Neil Laxton (21-11) and Mike Estell (21-18) sealed victory for Hart who are now five points clear of Oak with a game in hand.
White Hart B were defeated 144-118 at Colebrook B in Division Four despite having four winners – Ken Brown 21-15, John Meredith 21-19, Sheila Humphreys 21-16 and Neil Laxton 21-10.
In the Heart of England Thursday League, White Hart A were beaten 145-129 at Stoke Prior where they produced five winning cards from Ian Humphreys 21-13, Norman Batchelor 21-16, Ken Brown 21-18 Mike Estell 21-16 and captain Mick Perrins 21-19.
With just one match of the season left, they occupy third place in Division Two but are out of the promotion reckoning.
In the HOE over 60s Friday League, White Hart A defeated visitors Kings Norton A 120-99 in Division One through wins from Ian Humphreys 21-11, Stephen Turner 21-8, Graham Arnott 21-19 and captain Mike Estell 21-19.
They are currently fourth – a great improvement on last season’s performance when they only just managed to preserve their top flight status.
White Hart B are struggling near the bottom end of Division Two and their position was not improved after a 101-89 defeat at AG College A.
Kirk Wright (21-19), Tom Hawkes (21-9) and Mick Perrins (21-10) gave Hart three points but they will need at least another couple of victories to ensure they end the season clear of the two teams (Woodbourne and Woodlands Park) who are currently eight points below them.
In the SW Birmingham over 60s League, White Hart A notched up an impressive victory at Hall Green A in Division One. They had three winning cards from Mike Estell (21-6), Graham Arnott (21-18) and captain Ray Richards (21-18) in a 112-105 final scoreline.
The B team also won their Division Four match 118-88 at home to Foden/Marston Green with four winners – Richard Coyne 21-6, Norman Batchelor 21-18, Brian Chatterley 21-6 and Gill Croft 21-16.
White Hart’s inaugural staging of their Tony Sugden Handicap was won by Paul Thompson who defeated Malcolm Wood in the final.
The losing semi-finalists were Ged Dooner and Sheila Humphreys. Twenty-one members took part in what proved to be a fine tournament with many close matches throughout the afternoon.
