WHITE Hart reached their third Heart of England League quarter-final this season after a comfortable second round victory over British Oak in the Thursday Cup.
The A team had a full house of eight winners in the home/away ties, highlighted by wins to single figures from Kirk Wright (21-4), Paul Matthews (21-8) and captain Ian Humphreys (21-6). The Redditch club will face The Valley in the last eight.
The A team’s league campaign in Division One is not going so well and they were defeated 154-132 by a strong visiting Tanworth A team.
Hart had four winners – Paul Matthews and Ken Brown both 21-19, Mick Perrins 21-14 and Ian Humphreys 21-18 – but they are now 11 points from safety at the bottom end of the table.
The over 60s HOE A team gained a fine home win over RABL A, producing three winning cards from Graham Arnott 21-7, Norman Batchelor 21-8 and captain Mike Estell 21-18, giving them 13 valuable Division One points.
However, the B team were easily beaten 126-72 at local rivals Alcester A, with no winners.
In the Warks and Worcs Premier League, White Hart retained their lead at the top of Division Six despite a 225-195 defeat at Marston Green. They had just three winners from the 12 ties – Sue Sugden 21-9, Dave Edwards 21-16 and Graham Arnott 21-11.
In Northfeld & District Sunday League Division Two, White Hart A defeated leaders and visitors Triplex A 148-132 with winning cards from Graham Arnott 21-16, Paul Matthews 21-13, Tom Hawkes 21-12, Mike Estell 21-10 and captain Mick Perrins 21-18.
The B team only fielded seven players in their Division Four match at Central Edgbaston A and were defeated 161-121, but Sue Sugden performed heroics for Hart in playing and winning twice.
Both ties were long, drawn out affairs, but she won them 21-19 and 21-20, while captain Dave Edwards also gained a point for White Hart by winning his tie 21-17, keeping the club clear at the top of the table by nine points from Baldwin B.
In the Yardley Wood Superleague, White Hart returned to joint top in Division Four after a very impressive 168-92 home win over previous leaders King George VI A.
They produced a full set of eight winning cards – John Meredith 21-2, newcomer Gary Bennett 21-7, Ray Richards 21-8, Dave Kings 21-13, Tim Hollingshead 21-16, Neil Laxton 21-17, Denis Turner 21-17 and captain Kirk Wright 21-12. They now head the table with RABL – both teams on 121 points – 14 clear of King George.
In the SW Birmingham over 60s Tuesday League, White Hart B could only produce two winners at Olton A in Division Three. Sue Sugden (21-16) and Kirk Wright (21-18) gained points for the Redditch club in a 118-92 defeat which leaves them perilously close to the relegation positions.
