WHITE Hart eased their relegation worries in S&W Birmingham & District Over 60s Division One with two home victories from a busy spell of three matches in four days.
Their first success of the week was against Moseley CC A by 112 -99. Wins for Ray Richards (21-14), Mike Estell (21-18), Graham Arnott (21-12) and Ian Humphreys (21-13) gave White Hart A
8 points, and another nine were gained the following day from a 121-92 victory over Black Horse A. The same four players again produced winning cards along with Ken Brown (21-19).
Their quest for a third win proved a bridge too far for Hart when they were beaten in the return tie at Black Horse, knowing that victory would have taken them to the top of the table.
The visitors could only take two points this time from wins for Graham Arnott (21-18) and Ian Humphreys (21-19) in a 93-121 defeat.
Hart suffered another away loss this week on the notoriously difficult Ye Olde Knowle top green where they only had one winner (Ray Richards 21-17) in a heavy 75-122 defeat, leaving them in sixth place in the table.
White Hart B took two wins out of three to move to the top of Division Four.
An away match against Black Horse B ended in a 99-115 defeat, despite having three winning cards from John Meredith (21-18), Richard Coyne (21-20) and captain Sue Sugden (21-14).
Three days later, however, Hart turned the tables on their opponents, easily beating them 123-78. The hosts had five winners – John Meredith (21-13), Ken Brown (21-8), Sheila Humphreys (21-11), Brian Chatterley (21-19) and captain Sue Sugden (21-6).
This victory took Hart B to the top of the table, one point ahead of Black Horse B, and they stretched that gap following a 120-87 home win against Solihull Marsh Lane. Tom Hawkes (21-7) and Richard Coyne (21-9) both won to single figures while Norman Batchelor and Mick Perrins had tougher ties, both winning by a single shot. Sue Sugden again led by example winning her game 21-10.
In the Warks & Worcs League Division Four, White Hart gained a much-needed 251-153 home win over bottom-placed Erdington and Richmond. Their 11 winners included three to single figures from Martyn Higgins, Norman Batchelor and Ray Richards. A win this Saturday in the return leg would go a long way to easing any relegation worries.
In Yardley Wood and District League Division Two, White Hart reversed a disappointing away defeat at Kings Norton Ex-Service a fortnight ago by hammering their opponents 168-61 at home. The result was never in doubt as a full house of winning cards from Neil Laxton (21-6), Graham Arnott (21-8), Ray Richards (21-2), Mike Hancock (21-9), Tim Hollingshead (21-3) and three 21-11 wins from Mick Perrins, Dave Kings and captain Kirk Wright made it a clean sweep for the Redditch team.
White Hart B struggled to make an impression at Division Four leaders Woodbourne B with only second half wins from Paul Thompson (21-15) and Ged Dooner (21-20) securing two points.
In the Heart Of England Thursday League Division Two, White Hart A defeated Alcester A 159-123, thanks to two first half 21-15 wins from Kirk Wright and Tim Hollingshead and later winning scores from Graham Arnott (21-9), Mike Estell (21-11), and Mick Perrins (21-10).
The B team were given a 168-73 mauling by Division Three leaders Maggies B.
Beginner/novice classes are still being held on Monday evenings for all ages from 5.30pm to 7pm, costing £2 each.
Please contact Kirk Wright on 07707 756641 for details and to book places.
