WHITE HART’S Saturday and Sunday teams produced three fine victories over the weekend in the Warwick/Worcester and Northfield & District Leagues.
After heavy defeats in their first two W&W matches of the season, the Redditch club enjoyed a confidence-boosting 228-186 win at Erdington & Richmond wth seven winning cards.
John Meredith gave the visitors a flying start with an easy 21-6 victory and this was backed up by wins for Norman Batchelor (21-8), Mike Estell (21-6), Ian Humphreys (21-7), Dave Edwards (21-15), Neil Laxton (21-20) and Kirk Wright (21-19).
In the Northfield & District Sunday League, it was a similar scenario. White Hart A had been easily defeated in their first two Division One matches following promotion last year, but bounced back in style with a superb 147-140 home victory over The George, who are always one of the favourites to win the top flight.
Paul Matthews (21-15) and Ian Humphreys (21-17) gave Hart a great start and the outcome was settled, albeit narrowly, by fine wins for Graham Arnott (21-18), Kirk Wright (21-17) and Mike Estell (21-10).
The B team travelled to Baldwin and came away with a 135-123 win in Division Three. Winning cards from Norman Batchelor (21-1), Mike Hancock (21-3) and Tom Hawkes (21-14), along with a narrow 21-20 defeat for Phil Hemming helped to give White Hart enough shots to gain six valuable away points.
In the Heart of England Thursday League, White Hart A defeated Hockley Heath A 149-113 in Division Two to take six points from their first home match of the season.
Paul Matthews (21-10), Ken Brown (21-19) and Norman Batchelor (21-8) gave the hosts the start they were looking for and captain Mick Perrins was only just beaten 21-20. Further wins for Tim Hollingshead (21-7), Ian Humphreys (21-12) and Kirk Wright (21-17) settled the result in Hart’s favour.
In the HOE Over 60s League, White Hart B travelled to a rain-soaked Tally Ho venue to play a strong King George V team in Division Two and failed achieve a single winner in a heavy 126-65 defeat.
However, Gill Croft (14), Kirk Wright (13) and Mick Perrins (18) at least managed to reach double figures.
In the Yardley Wood Superleague, White Hart B were beaten 125-112 by Bournville Sports in Division Four despite having three comfortable winners – Richard Coyne 21-4, John Meredith 21-6 and Mike Hancock 21-10.
In the SW Birmingham Over 60s League, White Hart A were beaten 117-104 at Woodlands Park A in Division One as they had just two winning cards from Ian Humphreys 21-14 and Mick Perrins 21-19, while captain Norman Batchelor was just pipped by one shot.
Hart’s B team were more successful at home against their Woodlands Park counterparts in Division Four, defeating the visitors 117-65.
Wins to single figures from Kirk Wright (21-5), Gill Croft (21-6) and Tom Hawkes (21-9) were supported by Roger Broome (21-13) and Brian Chatterley (21-11) to leave the team unbeaten at this early stage of the season.
