WHITE HART’S A team improved their promotion chances with their third successive win in Yardley Wood & District Wednesday League Division Three.
Woodlands Park were their latest victims as Hart took 16 points from the away victory through six individual winners. The Redditch club won all the first half ties (Tim Hollingshead 21-16, Neil Laxton 21-13, Dave Kings 21-20 and Mike Hancock 21-10) and two of the second set of games (Gill Croft 21-6 and captain Kirk Wright 21-13).
White Hart are now third, eight points behind local rivals Alcester but with two games in hand.
In Heart of England Thursday League Division Two, Hart’s A team are also on the promotion trail after a fine 159-125 home win over leaders Triplex lifted them to third place, just two points behind Hockley Heath A.
The team began the match in fine fashion, taking all four of the first half ties – Ian Humphreys 21-5, Ken Brown 21-17, Paul Matthews 21-9 and captain Mick Perrins 21-20. Two more second half wins from Graham Arnott 21-12 and Ray Richards 21-20 gave them 16 points from the victory.
White Hart B were narrow 133-131 losers at Tanworth B in Division Four. John Meredith (21-8) gave the visitors a flying start but they then had to wait until the second half for wins from Sheila Humpreys 21-9 and captain Norman Batchelor 21-11, leaving them agonisingly short on the final scorecard.
In HOE Over 60s League Division One, White Hart’s A team easily coped with the challenge of visitors Baldwin, running out 119-73 winners. Graham Arnott (21-14) and Kirk Wright (21-5) gave them a halfway lead and this was well supported by wins from Ian Humphreys (21-9) Ken Brown (21-14) and captain Mike Estell (21-12).
Hart’s B team were again unlucky 103-99 losers at Henley A in Division Two on a poor playing surface. Tom Hawkes won 21-12 and acting captain Mick Perrins produced a fine 21-7 card but the narrow defeat meant they only took two points from the tie when it was almost a good deal more.
In Saturday Warwick and Worcester League Division Four, White Hart had six winning cards but were defeated 220-202 at Rubery Sheldon. Victories for Norman Batchelor 21-18 and Graham Arnott 21-17 in the first set of games, followed by winning cards from Kirk Wright and Ken Brown (both 21-16), gave Hart a chance of taking the points but just two more wins from Dave Edwards 21-11 and Dave Kings 21-16 proved to be insufficient in the final reckoning.
In Northfield & District Sunday League, White Hart B were allowed 20 shots in their Sid Stephens Rose Bowl first round tie against Triplex but still lost 148-133 in the final count. Their two winning cards came from Norman Batchelor 21-10 and Tom Hawkes 21-12.
In SW Birmingham Over 60s League, White Hart made it three wins in a row by beating Colebrook A at home. Ian Humphreys, Mike Estell and Kirk Wright all won their ties comfortably by the same 21-10 scoreline and this was supported by another win for Mick Perrins (21-13).
They are fifth in Division One with two games in hand on the two teams immediately above them.
White Hart B lost 119-84 in a top-of-the-table derby at Alcester A where Gill Croft (21-14) was their only winner, although Tom Hawkes (21-19) and John Meredith (21-17) were both only narrowly beaten.
Beginners/novices classes are still being held for non-members on Mondays between 6-8pm at the White Hart green on Evesham Road, Headless Cross. Contact chairman Kirk Wright on 07707 756641 for details.
