On a beautiful Wednesday evening, ideal for pondering around in the garden, supping a few beers and throwing sticks in the process, Tiddington CC travelled to the Shakespeare B and tested them to the full.   The Shakey set the first leg - and weren't going too well til anchorman Dougie Revitt hit a maximum to eventually finish with a reasonable 19.  The home side took that one and the next but then, the tide turned with the visitors likewise, winning the next two.  Level pegging going into the last - one of those where the skipper doesn't really want to win the toss.  Shaky did it, went in and set a commendable, and, as it turned out. a winning 21.  "Mr Dependable", Dougie's improving from week to week - 22 last time out and 23 in this one.  Well thrown Sir.  Graham Bristow and Pete Shepherd threw well for the Cricket Club with 17 apiece.  A great evening.  It remains tight at the top of Division One with Tiddington claiming top spot by just the one point.  Red Lion Brackley lost a bit of ground with a 3-2 defeat at home to Bell A.  It was touch and go - two legs each, going into the last.  The Bell set - not a great score of 13, but, as it turned out, enough to win the leg and the match 3-2.  Clive Lampitt with 16 and Greg English having a terrific evening with 15, shone for the Red Lion whilst Darren Moore with 16 (including a six) and Eddie Jones, with the same score, did the business for the Bell.  Whilst the Red Lion were losing that one, unbeknowingly (is that a word?), the Rose and Crown had won their first three legs (but lost the final two) at home to the Crown CoO A, enough to give them a 3-2 win and to leap frog into second place on dolls scored.  Paul Hudders continued his great run of form with another 16 for the home side whilst Jeremy Launchbury hit 18 and Matty Hillsdon 16 for the visitors.

It remains tight at the top two of Division Two.  Pheasant Inn A and the Red Cow met up on the hill, with the home side recovering from being two nil down to eventually claim a 3-2 victory.  Keith Harris threw exceptionally well for the Pheasant for his 17 dolls.    Knowing the top two sides were up against each other on the night, the White Horse were after maximum points to maintain their challenge.  It fell apart straight away - they lost the first two legs!   A turn around thereafter and they won the last three.  Dave Futter led by example with 15 dolls, with Terry Smith and Steve Golder hitting 14 apiece for the visitors.  Dragged out of retirement (?), Brian Joyce showed them how it's done at Fox Souldern B as they beat Brill S&SC A 4-1 and now join them on 20 points in the table - the same number of points as the Nut Tree who lost 3-2 against Launton S&S B.

Butchers Arms lost their top spot in Division Three with a 3-2 defeat at Crown CoO B and Long Crendon VC winning at Chearsley Cricketers.  In that one at Chearsley, Adam Lazaruk did his utmost with 12 dolls for the home side whilst Charlie and Jack Govier both hit the same score for the visitors.

Rather tight in Division Four with the top four teams all on 20 points.  George Deans rolling back the years - a long way back! - with 16 dolls, did little to help the White Hart as they came a cropper and lost 4-1 at home the Fox Souldern A, but manage to remain on top by dolls scored.  Crown Twyford A upped their game this week to secure a 3-2 home victory over Plough MG One and jump up to second place - alphabetically, as they've hit the same number of dolls as the Ex Services who, on such a lovely evening outside, were stuck indoors against Crown Twyford B.

Ardley Utd FC recovered from being 2-1 down to, eventually, winning 3-2 at Bell B and keeping up their quest for the Division Five title.  On their longish trek to the Barley Mow Upper Heyford, Pheasant Inn B suffered a humiliating 5-0 defeat - a defeat which drops them down three places in the table.  Alvin Knowles with 12 and Dickie Haynes 11 did the damage for the home side with Dave Morris replying with 11 for the visitors.  Chris Mack's ten dolls for Bull Inn B did little to help them as they lost 5-0 at home to the Hundred Acres.  With Kevin Middleton and Pete Bunce nine apiece the Acres climb a couple of places into third.

Sixers - Doug Revitt, Darren Moore

Right, with that done and dusted - a day earlier, as you may have noticed - I'm away in the caravan for a week or so.  You can still get in touch with me as much as you want!

Phil Allen

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A very encouraging number of entries (36) for the triples competition to be played on Wednesday 31st July.  The draw is below

Please be aware the start time is 8 o'clock.

TRIPLES DRAW

AT LAUNTON SPORTS & SOCIAL (PITCH ONE)

8 O’CLOCK START

1. Bull Inn A A (Billy Atwell, Dave Puddle, Paul Chapman)

2. Chandos Arms A (Robert Taylor, John Mole, Paul Kilpin)

3. Bell A C (Ray Rowe, Dan Jobling, Billy Craig)

4. Launton S&S B A (Kev Gardiner, Lee Gardiner, Dave Gardiner)

5. Lower Heyford S&SC B (John Smith, Jordan Austin, Charlie Loveday)

6. White Horse (Dave Futter, Mav Giles, Dickie Butler)

7. Rose & Crown (Dave Reast, Paul Hudders, Jon Woodman)

8. Bell A A (Joe Durbin, James Smith, Brian Gough)

9. Ex Services B (Tracey Denton, Keith Lennard, Michelle Oakley)

To be played down til there is just one pair remaining

Best of three legs.  In the event of a draw, go to three sticks and stay on three sticks before going on to the next leg.

TRIPLES DRAW

AT LAUNTON SPORTS & SOCIAL (PITCH TWO)

8 O’CLOCK START

1. Red Cow A (Liam Fisher, Ian Cantwell, Roger Herbert)

2. Shakespeare Originals B (Erik Poslusny, Jason Harris, Andy Grose)

3. Shakespeare B B (Tyler Andrews, Lee Wanless, Phil Allen)

4. Ex Services (Rick Gumbert, Dave Vear, Zak Vear)

5. Red Lion Brackley A (Clive Lampitt, Norman Brock, Jamie Wiltshire)

6. Lower Heyford S&SC A (Terry Hawkins, Charlotte Smith, James Kirtland)

7. Shakespeare Originals A (Tony Nichols, Steve Payne, Pete Litten)

8. Launton S&S B B (Chris Price, Colin Baldwin, Nick Cherry)

9. Fox Souldern B (Martin Hartwell, Chris Hartwell, Andy Bush)

To be played down til there is just one pair remaining

Best of three legs.  In the event of a draw, go to three sticks and stay on three sticks before going on to the next leg.

TRIPLES DRAW

AT THE SHAKESPEARE

8 O’CLOCK START

1. Launton S&S A (Steve Golder, Terry Smith, Derek Richards)

2. Red Cow B (Liam Merchant, Gavin Walford, Bjorn Eilersten)

3. Crown CoO A A (John Lehane, Terry Bagnall, Matty Hillsdon)

4. Chandos Arms B (Steve Knight, Brian Hartland, Mark Mulcahy)

5. Pheasant A (Keith Harris, Pete McCarron, Luke McCarron)

6. Shakespeare B A (Pete Dempsey, Bobby Allen, Karl Budd)

7. Red Lion Brackley B (Neil Cross, John Bradshaw, A N Other)

8. Launton S&S B C (Chalky White, Chris Ashton, Jeff Ball)

9. Shakespeare Originals C (Pete Dominic, Chris Hooper, Nathan Litten)

To be played down til there is just one pair remaining

Best of three legs.  In the event of a draw, go to three sticks and stay on three sticks before going on to the next leg.

TRIPLES DRAW

AT TIDDINGTON CRICKET CLUB

8 O’CLOCK START

1. Chandos Arms C (Mike Robertson, Richard McVeigh, Ricky Hartland)

2. Crown CoO A B (John Hudson, Jeremy Launchbury, Paul Hodgins)

3. Tiddington CC A (Pete Shepherd, Pip Goulding, Phil Smith)

4. Bell A B (Darren Moore, James Harkness, Eddie Jones)

5. Crown CoO B (Robin Busby, Barry Reynolds, Dick Pike)

6. Bull Inn A B (Nigel King, Mark Poulter, Kev Powney)

Pheasant Inn A B (Dave Fry, Andy Parke, Ryan Daly)

8. Ex Services (James Waddup, Emma Vear, Mark Stocker)

9. Tiddington CC B (Ray Manning, Les Brooks, Graham Bristow

To be played down til there is just one pair remaining

Best of three legs.  In the event of a draw, go to three sticks and stay on three sticks before going on to the next leg.

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Before we get into the nitty gritty of Wednesday night's games and results, I have to send out a serious reminder to all team captains and players about conduct during matches.  Although very infrequent, I have received some feedback regarding player conduct during one of this week’s fixtures, which was totally unacceptable to all parties involved.  Whilst we know Aunt Sally - as all sports - can be a very competitive game at all levels, and there are rivalries between some teams, whether that be from the same venue with an A and B teams, or from the same town/village with more than one venue for example, it is a game to be enjoyed.  Poor or bad conduct on any level, from any player or team, is totally unacceptable and will not be tolerated by the committee.  Please, can we all make sure our first aim is to enjoy the evening, as after all, it is only a game.

So, I hope all team captains will accept responsibility for looking after the conduct of their players and we don’t see any more reports of bad conduct this season or in the future.

Please see the  rules about Etiquette on the RULES page.  Print it off, display it and/or pass it around to players as you see fit.

"Team of the week" has to go to the current league champions and table toppers, Shakespeare B.  On Wednesday's visit to Crown CoO A, they took all five points, hitting 102 dolls in the process.  The Crown put a decent 19 on the board in the first leg, but the visiting anchorman, Dougie Revitt, got the four needed for victory.  Thereafter, "Mr Consistency", throwing so well, took his evening's tally to 22.  Jed Launchbury and Matty Hillsdon threw well for the Crown with 17 apiece but could do little to stop a rampant Shakey team.  Tiddington CC and Shakespeare Originals arranged to play two matches in the one evening - to include their postponed first match of the season.  How coincidental that they both won 4-1 (as the 'away' team), and both hit a total of 133 dolls.  Couldn't have been any closer!   And they didn't finish til 10.40.  Well done, and thank you, to all involved.  Tony Nichols had a creditable evening for the Shakey with a 16 and a 15 but the visiting Pip Goulding 'pipped' him with a 14 and 19 (including a six).  'Twas a close one at the Rose and Crown where the Red Lion Brackley were the visitors.  The home team's anchorman Dave Reast needed five to draw, six to win for the first leg and got the maximum.  From thereon, it was touch and go but the home side scraped it 3-2.  Jamie Wiltshire played extremely well for his 18 dolls for the visitors, as did Dave Reast for his 17.  Ray Rowe chipped in with a six as the Bell A stuttered over the line to beat the visiting Bull Inn A 3-2.

Both the Pheasant Inn A and the Red Cow won 5-0 - ironically, both at Launton S&S - and sit, level on points, level on dolls - at the top of Division Two.  Andy Parke and Pete McCarron hit 12 apiece for the Pheasant whilst Terry Smith got 11 for Launton S&S A.  In the other match there, Liam Merchant played out of his skin for the Red Cow for his 19, including a six, whilst team mate, Ian Cantwell, also hit a maximum in his 14.  Despite Dave Futter and Baz Bazile throwing well for their 14 dolls for the White Horse, they lost a little ground on the leaders after dropping a couple of legs at home to the Fox Souldern B.  A couple of very close legs in the Brill S&SC A v Nut Tree game but the home side, with Lee Mason throwing exceptionally well for 16 (including a six), whitewashed their opponents 5-0 and jump above them in the table.

With Ky Maciejewski hitting 14 in one of his rare appearances for the Butchers Arms, a 3-2 win for them over Long Crendon VC, takes them back to the top of the Division Three table.  Fourteen dolls from Joe Young and 13 from son Ashley earned the Ashton Club a 3-2 victory at the Chandos Arms and brings them level on points.

A very close game at the Crown Twyford A where the White Hart won the final - and deciding - leg to sneak a 3-2 win which keeps them at the top of Division Four.  Ally Ginger (13) and Judd O'Connor (12) did their utmost for the Crown as did Doug Schultz and George Deans with eleven apiece for the visitors.  Another to be decided in the final leg was the Plough MG One 3-2 victory over the visiting Ex Services.  Every leg is vital, as proved to be for the Plough MG Two in their visit to the Fox Souldern A.  To win their final leg - albeit losing the match 3-2 - keeps them in second place in Division Four.

Thirteen dolls for Alvin Knowles, in only his second match of the season, helped the Barley Mow to take three legs off the Division Five table toppers Ardley Utd FC.  It was touch and go at the Pheasant where the home side won the last leg on a three sticker to win the match 3-2 and return to second place.

Sixers - Pip Goulding, Ray Rowe, Lee Mason, Liam Merchant, Ian Cantwell

Phil Allen

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Time flies when you’re enjoying yourselves, eh?  We’ve reached the halfway point of the season already.

Shakespeare B rounded off that first half with a 4-1 victory at the Red Lion Brackley.  A bit of a ‘shakey’ start for the visitors; chasing the 17 set by the home side, it was down to anchorman, Dougie Revitt, to get at least four to take it into a three sticker – he did it and followed it up with a maximum in the three sticker.  Despite the return of Martin Wanless, playing his first game of the season, hitting 12 in his four legs and looking as though he’d never been away (!), Shakespeare Originals went down 3-2 at home to the Bell A – a win that elevates the Bell up into second place in the Premier Division.  Darren Moore threw exceptionally well for his 17 dolls.  The Crown CoO A struggled, came second best and lost their second place in the table, at Tiddington CC where the home side won 4-1.  A five-player Bull Inn A threw well to win their first leg at home to the Rose and Crown but then, were up against it and lost the last four legs, with Paul Hudders throwing well for the visitors for his 18 dolls. 

It's suddenly become very tight at the top of Division Two with three teams level on points.  After suffering a 4-1 defeat away at Fox Souldern B, the Pheasant Inn A lost their three point advantage but still remain on top because of their superior dolls tally.  Chris Hartwell (16 dolls) and Andy Bush (14) starred for the Fox whilst Paul Morris did his utmost to salvage something with 14 for the Pheasant.  The Red Cow are getting back to the sort of form expected of them and now, after taking four legs against Launton S&S A, they’re in second place.  Ian Cantwell top scored in that one with 14.  With Dave Futter continuing his very good run of form, the White Horse returned home from the Nut Tree with another four points in the bag.  Richard Cooper had another good week for the Nut Tree with 15.  A close call at Launton S&S where their B side beat Brill S&SC A 3-2.  Dave Gardiner top scored for the home side with 17 (including a six) whilst Mike Horn played the captain’s part with 15 for the visitors.

Long Crendon VC failed to take full advantage of the fact that the Butchers Arms, at the top of Division Three, had a ‘Bye’ and went down 3-2 at home to Lower Heyford S&SC.  The first two legs finished on nine apiece and went to three stickers (the first leg even went to a one sticker).  They won one leg each.  Thereafter it was neck and neck but Lower Heyford came out on top.  Nevertheless, two points was enough to take Long Crendon to the top.  Charlie Govier threw out of his skin for his 15 dolls.  A close one at the Crown CoO where their B side sneaked three legs against Chandos Arms and jump above them in the table.  Robin Busby had a much better week for the Crown with 15 dolls.  It was touch and go in the Ashton Club versus Chearsley Cricketers game.  Two legs apiece and going into the last.  The Ashton set nine but the five man visiting team were only able to muster up seven.  3-2 to the Ashton Club.

In Division Four the White Hart hold on to their top of the table spot after defeating the Ex Services 3-2 in a rather close one.  Doug Schultz hit ten, his best score of the season, whilst Zak Vear hit eleven – also his best.  Well done chaps.  After beating Plough MG One 4-1 in their rearranged previously postponed fixture, and taking two points off Crown Twyford A, Plough MG Two now find themselves in a “dizzy” second place.  After finding themselves 3-0 down away at the Crown Twyford B, Plough MG One recovered and took the last two.  John Carter (Crown) and Paul Symonds (Plough) threw exceptionally well for 14 dolls apiece.

Ardley Utd FC rounded off a terrific first half of the season with 4-1 win at the Pheasant B and now sit five points clear at the top of Division Five – ahead of our surprise package of the season, Bell B, who took all five points at home to Bull Inn B.  Karl Wright hit ten – his best of the season – for Ardley FC.  Tied at two legs each at the Hundred Acres, Bicester Bowls Club pulled out all the stops and took the last one 11-8.

Sixer - Dave Gardiner.

Phil Allen

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Played on probably our best Wednesday evening of the season so far - albeit a little chilly - the attendances for the pairs' competitions were up on previous years.  Very encouraging to see.

Those successful in getting through to the finals, to be played on Friday 13th September, are:

Premier & Division One - Clive Lampitt & Norman Brock (Red Lion Brackley) will play Nigel King and Kevin Powney (Bull Inn A).

Division Two - Dave Futter and Mav Giles (White Horse) will play Liam Fisher and Roger Herbert (Red Cow).

Division Three - Ashley Young and Joe Young (Ashton Club) will play Charlie Govier and Jack Govier (Long Crendon VC).

Division Four - Lewis Wilson and Paul Symonds (Plough MG One) will play Trevor Barnett and Simon North (Crown Twyford B).

Division Five - Dave Morris and Will Sanders (Pheasant Inn B) will play James Ridgeley and Derek Burrows (Barley Mow).

Well done.

Phi Allen

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Apologies, a little later this morning; been partying late into the night!

Two matches for top of the table Shakespeare B this week - one on Tuesday evening was the rearranged postponed fixture away at the Rose and Crown, and what a tight affair that turned out to be.  The home side took the first leg on a three sticker, then it got to two apiece before the Shakey took the decider.  Paul Hudders threw exceptionally well for his 17 dolls as did Dougie Revitt (back from his week's holiday) for his 19 dolls and Bobby Allen for his 16, including a six.  In Wednesday's match at the Shakespeare, the table toppers increased their lead with a 5-0 win over the Bull Inn A.  A couple of the legs were rather close - one of them going to a three sticker - but the Shakey held their own to take maximum points.  Dougie Revitt did it again - 20 dolls, including a six in the last leg with Kev Powney throwing well for the visitors, hitting 17.  Crown CoO A, at full strength this week, threw exceptionally well at home to trounce Shakespeare Originals 5-0, with John Hudson having his best night for a long while with 19, including a six.  Jason Harris starred for the visitors with 14, also including a six.  With every one of their players hitting double figures, Red Lion Brackley kept up their creditable start to the season taking three legs off the visiting Tiddington CC.  Clive Lampitt top scored for the Red Lion with 16 as did Graham Bristow for the Cricket Club.  Rose and Crown recovered from Tuesday's defeat to beat the visiting Bell 4-1 to jump to second place in Division One; Paul Hudders rounded off a terrific week with 18 dolls on the night.

In Division Two, the Pheasant Inn A somehow scraped a 3-2 victory over the Nut Tree to stay top of the table.  Tied at two legs apiece, going into the last, and that one was drawn.  In the three sticker, the Pheasant scraped home 8-7.  Richard Cooper rolled back the years and threw out of his skin for his 20 dolls for the Nut Tree (and not a six amongst it).  The Red Cow 'almost' whitewashed the Fox Souldern B.  They were 4-0 up, going into the last but lost that one 14-13.  Nevertheless, they return to second place in the table, leapfrogging the White Horse, who needed and took the last leg to beat Brill S&SC A.  Dave Futter starred in that one with 16 dolls for the White Horse.  Launton S&S A took the honours, winning 4-1, in their derby match - at home to the B side.  A terrific night for Keith Perry - anchorman in the final leg - needing two to win, and he got them, much to the delight of himself and his fellow team mates.  Well done Keith.

The Butchers Arms got themselves into a commanding 3-0 lead away at Lower Heyford S&SC - and then fell apart, losing the last two.  But, they still hold on to their two point lead over Long Crendon VC at the top of Division Three.  Despite losing 3-2 at home to Long Crendon VC, the Ashton Club report that they had a great night with their visiting team - and that's not the first time I've heard that about the Long Crendon team!.. Well done chaps.  Ashley Young (playing lead off man for the Ashton) got his team off to a great start in every leg, finishing with a creditable 15 dolls.  Well done Ashley.  Daren Vythelingum hit a cracking 16 dolls for Chearsley Cricketers but they still went down 3-2 at home to Crown CoO B and find themselves rooted to the bottom of the table.

In Division Four, a 4-1 home win for the White Hart over Crown Twyford B sees them jump three places to the top of that division.  George Deans hit 15 for the home side, by far his best score of the season.  Fox Souldern A walloped last week's table toppers, Crown Twyford A, 5-0 and jump four places into second.  Lead off man Adam Spencer and anchorman Dan Kimber did the damage with ten apiece for the Fox.  Despite 14 dolls from Tracey Denton, the Ex Services lost alternate legs and, eventually, the game 3-2 at home to Plough MG Two.

In Division Five, Bicester Bowls Club - with a full squad of nine players turning out once again - recorded their second win of the season; 3-2 at home against Pheasant Inn B.  Skipper Graham Brown threw well for 11 and Alan Wagner 9.  Alvin Knowles and Dickie Haynes, with 12 apiece, helped the Barley Mow to maximum points at the Bull Inn B and to leapfrog the Pheasant into second place.

Sixers - Dougie Revitt, John Hudson, Jason Harris

PAIRS COMPETITION

This coming Wednesday, it's the pairs competitions.  Remember, it's an 8 o'clock start at each venue.  

Premier and Division One will all be held at Launton S&S.  

Division Two at the Shakespeare.  

Division Three at the Bell.  

Division Four at the Bull.  

Division Five at the Red Cow.

Phil Allen

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The venues for the divisional pairs competitions are on the FIXTURES page.  The draws for "who plays who" will be made at each venue on the night.  Please note, the start time at each venue is 8 o'clock.

Very encouraging to see the number of entries has risen from last season's.  We have a total of 73 entries, broken down as follows:

     Premier and Division One - 27

     Division Two - 13

     Division Three - 12

     Division Four - 11

     Division Five - 10

Because I receive entries by email, WhatsApp, SMS, messenger, face to face - some at awkward times when I can't jot it down, I may have missed someone or got the names wrong.  Please check the lists and let me know right away if I have done so.

Phil Allen

The draws for League Cup semi finals, League Plate semi finals, Intermediate Cup semi finals and Intermediate Plate semi finals are:

LEAGUE CUP 

     Pheasant Inn A v Shakespeare Originals

     Shakespeare B v Rose & Crown

LEAGUE PLATE

     Tiddington CC v Launton S&S B

     Crown CoO A v Red Cow

INTERMEDIATE CUP

     Lower Heyford S&SC v Crown Twyford A

     White Hart v Crown CoO B

INTERMEDIATE PLATE

     Chandos Arms v Fox Souldern A

     Ex Services v Crown Twyford B

The above games will be played on 21st August.

The Supplementary Cup final, to be played on Friday 13th September, will be between Pheasant Inn B and Hundred Acres and the Plate final, on Wednesday 11th September, will be between Bell B and the Barley Mow.

In a relatively low scoring contest for a top of the table clash, Shakespeare B - without the ever consistent Doug Revitt - took a 3-0 lead at the Bell but then 'allowed' the home side to take the last two legs.  Karl Budd top scored with 17 for the visitors.  A great evening for Tyler Andrews with 14 for the Shakey as did Eddie Jones for the Bell.  A shock result at the Shakespeare where the Originals got walloped by a resurgent Rose and Crown, losing 4-1.  It was looking rather embarrassing at 4-0 down but the home side redeemed themselves a little by taking the last leg.  Newbie Darren Brain (Rose and Crown) adapted well to the shorter length - his first ever game in the Bicester league - for his 21 dolls (and not a six amongst it).  Team mate Jon Woodman did get one though in his 17.  Tony Nichols, for the Shakey, is still trying to get the length right (!) but did manage a creditable 19 - but no six either!  Another, what I consider, shock result was the Red Lion Brackley's 3-2 win at the Crown CoO A.  It was tied at 2-2 going into the last.  The Red Lion set 13 - not enough you would think.  They got a three sticker out of it.  Set 9 and the Crown fell one short.  3-2 to the Red Lion.  Jeremy Launchbury hit a six in the very first throw of the evening and ended with 18.  At Tiddington CC, the home side were victorious beating the Bull A 4-1.  They lost the first leg quite easily 15-19, but, from thereon, it became rather eventful!  They set and won the next in similar fashion (quite easily) 18-12.  The third was drawn at 13 apiece with the home side winning the three sticker.  The fourth went the full circle - six sticks drawn at 18 each (with Ray Manning hitting a six), three sticker drawn at six each, one sticker at three each and back to six.  Twenty one dolls to the home side was too many for the visitors.  So, in to the last leg, Tiddington were 3-1 up; and they got the last 16-11.  A great evening for Ray Manning with 18 - well done!  Kev Powney threw terrifically well too for his 20.

In Division Two, the Pheasant Inn A's 3-2 win at the White Horse on Monday night in their rearranged previously postponed fixture, and the 4-1 derby victory at Brill S&SC on Wednesday, takes them back to the top of the table - the first time since the first week of the season.  Despite that defeat on Monday night, the White Horse 'pulled themselves together' to win 4-1 away at Launton S&S B on Wednesday - to jump into second place (aiming for promotion!!?).  Dave Futter's back - 14 and 13 this week.  Ian Cantwell's back too - another 15 this week (his second successive), helped the Red Cow to a 4-1 home win over the Nut Tree and puts them hot on their heels in the table.  A 4-1 win at Launton S&S A, takes the Fox Souldern B off the foot of the table.

A 4-1 home win on Tuesday against the Ashton Club, followed by a 3-2 home victory the following evening against Chandos Arms elevates the Butchers Arms to the top of Division Three.  Andy Thomas had a couple of decent matches for the Butchers, with 11 on Tuesday and 13 on Wednesday.  The Ashton Cub recovered well from their Tuesday defeat to inflict a 3-2 defeat on Lower Heyford S&SC.  Some decent individual scores in that match were John Smith's 14 in his four legs for Lower Heyford and Dave Smith's 14 and Joe Young's 13 for the Ashton.  Long Crendon VC certainly seem to enjoy their aunt sally evenings.  Every week, I get a comment along the lines of "Great evening once again".  Well done chaps, that's what it's all about!  On Wednesday they rattled up a 4-1 home victory over Crown CoO B - but got displaced at the top of the table by the Butchers Arms (who did have two games, two wins this week).  Dave Carruthers has certainly made a huge difference to their team this season.  Sitting in second place in the division's top doll scorers, he hit another 14 on Wednesday.  A great signing!

Crown Twyford A, despite having a bye this week, remain in 'number one spot' in Division Four.  Catching them a little though are the Ex Services after their 4-1 win at the Fox Souldern A.  The highlight of this one was Tracey Denton's 17 dolls for the Ex's, including a six.  Also hot on their heels are tenants, Crown Twyford B, who sneaked home with a 3-2 win over Plough MG Two.  Plough MG One were victorious at home against the White Hart, beating them 4-1.

Sitting comfortably at the top of Division Five for the whole season, Ardley Utd FC won 5-0 at home to the Bull Inn B - but they lost their Supplementary Cup semi final 3-0 at home to the Hundred Acres on Thursday evening.  Carl Reed hit 10 for the football club on Wednesday, as did Chris Mack for the Bull.  The Barley Mow, with Steve Webb hitting 11, enjoyed a 4-1 victory at the Hundred Acres and jump above them in the table.  Bicester Bowls Club, unable to get to grips with this 'weird' game, still seem to manage to encourage (or persuade) a full compliment of players to turn up each week.  Nine there again this week for their match against Bell B - but they lost 4-1.  They'll be there again on Wednesday despite it being another difficult fixture against Pheasant Inn B!  Well done.

Sixers - Ray Manning, Jon Woodman, Jeremy Launchbury, Tracey Denton

FOUND AT THE PHEASANT INN

A green patterned home made fabric bag, with a set of dark brown light aunt sally sticks has been left at the Pheasant Inn.  Been there about three weeks.  To claim, you can either come back to me (Phil Allen the secretary) or contact Dave Morris through the Division Five WhatsApp group.

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The 'shock of the week' in the League Cup, Second Round was the Pheasant A's 3-2 home defeat over the Bell A.  The Pheasant took a 2-0 lead before the visitors regained some decent form and got it back to two apiece.  What seemed a creditable final leg set of 16 by the Bell just wasn't enough as the hosts clanged off 18 - with Andy Parke and Dave Fry both hitting five.  Another to go the whole five legs was the one at the Red Lion Brackley where the visitors, Shakespeare Originals, were victorious after setting 20 in the final leg.  Top scorers there were Clive Lampitt with 18 for the Red Lion and Jason Harris (18) and Tony Nichols (17) for the visitors.  The Rose & Crown were victorious in another five legger at the Bull A.  Kev Powney (Bull A) hit 15 in the four legs he threw but it just wasn't enough to get them through to the semi finals.  Brill S&SC A were unable to get a sufficient number of players for their match against Shakespeare B and had to concede.

In the League Plate, with Ian Cantwell hitting 12, the Red Cow won comfortably 3-0 at home to Launton S&S A, as did Tiddington CC away at the Nut Tree.  Crown CoO A followed suit and won by the same scoreline at Fox Souldern B.  The White Horse came second best as the lost 3-1 at home to Launton S&S B.

In the Intermediate Cup, despite drawing the second leg and then winning the three sticker, Crown CoO B had a relatively comfortable home win against Plough MG Two.  The White Hart threw out of their skins - 19 in their first leg! - to whitewash the visiting Chearsley Cricketers.  Daren Vythelingum with ten dolls, threw well for the visitors.  In, what I heard was, a terrific match, in a terrific atmosphere, Lower Heyford S&SC won 3-2 at home to Long Crendon VC.  It was tied at two apiece, going into the last, which Lower Heyford won 14-11.  James Kirtland threw terrifically well for 15 dolls, as did Charlotte Smith Cheery for 11 and Jack Govier for the visitors for his 11.  A struggling Ashton Club side went down 3-1 at home to the Crown Twyford A.

In the Intermediate Plate, Chandos Arms won 3-1 away at the Butchers Arms whilst Crown Twyford B won 3-0 at Plough MG One.

In the Supplementary Cup, Pheasant B won 3-0 at Bicester Bowls Club.  The other game between Ardley Utd FC and the Hundred Acres is being played this coming Thursday.  In the Plate the Barley Mow won 3-1 away at Bull B.

Phil Allen

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The early torrential rain, forecasted to go on all day, caused a number of matches - many of them to be played on grass - to be postponed.  But, in the end, when the weather had changed completely, 'twas a great evening for aunt sally.

Shakespeare B's game at the Rose and Crown was one to fall victim of the weather, as was the Crown CoO A's at the Bull A in Launton.  Shakespeare Originals took a 2-0 lead in their home fixture against the Red Lion Brackley but then lost the next two (both by the same score of 13-15).  The Shakey set a very measly seven in the final leg - surprisingly, that was enough to "earn" them a three sticker - which they then won 10-7.  Pete Litten top scored with 14.  In another pretty tight affair at the Bell, that was also two legs apiece, going into the fifth.  Tiddington CC's set of eleven surely wasn't going to be enough!  True enough, it wasn't; the Bell sneaked home with a 13-11 victory. Darren Moore hit 14.

In Division Two, top of the table, the Nut Tree, were well beaten 4-1 by the visiting Launton S&S A - who leapfrog from sixth place up to second.   Terry Smith and Steve Golder both hit 13 dolls for the visitors.  Nick Cherry, with 18, played a captain's innings as Launton S&S B won 4-1 at home against the Fox B - and now swap places at the bottom of the table.  Chris Price - a 'newbie' for the home side - hit twelve dolls in the three legs he played, including a six.  Dave Betts top scored for the visitors with 14.  Three legs up and going for the whitewash at Brill S&SC, the Red Cow 'fell apart' and lost the last two.  Lee Mason (for the home side) and Ian Cantwell (for the Red Cow) hit 15 apiece.

Another match, tied 2-2 going into the last, was the only Division Three match played, Chandos Arms against Chearsley Cricketers.  The home side set ten in the fifth, a couple too many for the visitors.  3-2 to Chandos Arms.

Only match in Division Four was the one at Crown Twyford where their A side won 4-1 against the Ex Services - and now rise to the top of the table.  Sam Roberts hit 13 for the Crown as did Tracey Denton for the Ex's.

Ardley Utd FC retain their top of the table spot after beating the visiting Hundred Acres 3-2.  Second placed Pheasant Inn B took a 2-0 lead at home against Bell B before the visitors clawed the next two back.  The Bell, having set in all of the previous four legs, did so again - but seven wasn't enough as the Pheasant managed ten.

Sixer - Chris Price

POSTPONED FIXTURES

To enable the secretary to keep the league tables as up to date as he possibly can, postponed matches should be played within 14 days of the original date - and, please bear in mind, it doesn't have to be on a Wednesday.

Please inform the secretary of the new date.

Phil Allen

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Many congratulations to Oxford United on their victory at Wembley and promotion to the Championship.  Just what the doctor ordered!

On such a warm, dry Wednesday evening - very unusual playing conditions, certainly not preferred by the Shakespeare Originals - they came completely unstuck and, apart from Tony Nichols who top scored with 17 dolls - didn't throw well at all, losing 5-0 'away' at Shakespeare B.  Phil Allen rolled back the years for his 17 dolls too.  Well done to the Crown CoO A who recovered from their 3-2 cup defeat away at the Bell last week to beat them at Charlton by the same scoreline this time around.  A tied first leg on 13 dolls apiece, went to a three sticker (7 each), and the Bell won the one sticker.  Pretty close thereafter with the Crown eventually winning it 3-2 and 'pulling away' from the Bell by a point and into second place in the table.  Terry 'Sid' Bagnall didn't play in the first leg but made up for it thereafter with 16 dolls in the remaining four legs.  Tiddington CC also did the reverse; having lost to the Rose and Crown last week in the cup, they whitewashed the same opponents this week.  Pip Goulding (16) and Pete Shepherd (17) both continued their decent start to the season.  The Red Lion Brackley kept up their unbeaten start to the season, beating a five man visiting Bull Inn A team 4-1.  Clive Lampitt hit 15 dolls in his four legs (including a six) with Nigel King also claiming a six for the visitors.

In Division Two both the Nut Tree and Pheasant Inn A are unbeaten and having a great start to the season.  With Simon Franklin hitting 14 dolls and Dave Crook 13, the Nut Tree won 5-0 away at Fox Souldern B, winning the first leg on a three sticker.  Tim Daly's 15 dolls (including a six in the third leg), well supported by Andy Parke and Paul Morris (both with 14), helped the Pheasant to a 4-1 home win over Launton S&S B - losing the last leg after a terrific set of 20 by the visitors.  Dave Gardiner was the league's top scorer on the night with 18, including a six in the fourth leg.  The White Horse, seeking promotion this season (!), are keeping the pressure on those top two after their 4-1 home win over the Red Cow.  Dave Futter, in his first match of the season, showed his White Horse team mates what they've been missing with 14 dolls.  Two nil up, away at Launton S&S A, it did look as though Brill S&SC A were going for the clean sweep; but they lost the next two close legs before grabbing the last.  3-2 to Brill.

In Division Three, another so far unbeaten side, Long Crendon VC won a rather close match 3-2 on their travels to near neighbours Chandos Arms.  John Fitsell hit 12 for the home side with Jack Govier replying with the same score for the visitors.  Butchers Arms took the long trip to Chearsley Cricketers and left with a creditable four legs in the bag - losing out in the fourth leg by just one doll.  With Matt Holmes (12) and Dick Pike (10) throwing well for Crown CoO B, they won 3-2 at the Ashton Club, despite Joe Young's 11 for the Club.

Despite losing 3-2 at home to Plough MG Two, the White Hart leapfrog to the top of the table on doll difference, replacing Crown Twyford A who were beaten at home in their derby match against Crown Twyford B.  In that 'battle of the Crowns', lead off man Simon North top scored with 11.  Paul Symonds also hit 11 for Plough MG One as they recovered from 2-0 down to eventually beat Fox Souldern A 3-2.  Dan Kimber also hit 11 for the Fox.

In Division Five, with Carl Reed (10) and Karl Wright (9) performing pretty well so far, Ardley Utd FC - in their first season of aunt sally - are getting some decent results, including Wednesday's 4-1 victory at Bicester Bowls Club (who turned up with nine eager players once again), and top the table.  Hot on the tails of the football club are Pheasant Inn B who whitewashed a struggling Bull Inn B.  Jon Goodson should be well pleased with his 12 for the Pheasant.  The outstanding individual score of the evening has to be 14 dolls (including a six) for Matt Stevens as he helped the Bell B to a terrific 4-1 win at home against the Barley Mow.  Adam Hamp didn't do so badly either as he clanged off 12 for the Bell.

Sixers - Clive Lampitt (Red Lion Brackley), Nigel King (Bull Inn A), Dave Gardiner (Launton S&S B), Tim Daly (Pheasant Inn A), Matt Stevens (Bell B)

Phil Allen

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With Ant Bradbeer "leading by example" (5  2  6  3) and well supported by Dave Reast (4  3  3  3), Rose and Crown beat Tiddington CC 3-1 in the League Cup first Round whilst the current holders, Crown CoO A, despite Jeremy Launchbury's 19, went out 3-2 at the Bell.  Shakespeare Originals made light work of their 3-0 whitewash over the visiting White Horse as did their 'neighbours', Shakespeare B away at Launton S&S B.  Bull Inn A also whitewashed the 'visiting' Launton S&S A.  Despite only playing three legs, the match at the Red Cow seemed to go on forever before the visitors, Red Lion Brackley, won it 3-0.  The first leg went to a one sticker and the second to a three sticker.  The match at the Nut Tree went the whole five legs with Jeff Hall hitting 16 dolls for the home side - but, eventually, still lost 3-2 to Brill S&SC A.  Another to go all the way to five legs was the one at the Fox Souldern, where their B side lost out 3-2 to the Pheasant Inn A.  Pete McCarron hit a terrific 19 for the visitors.

In the Intermediate Cup the Ashton Club won 3-0 away at Crown Twyford B with the third leg doing the full circle (6, 3, 1 and back to six sticks) and Joe Young hitting a six in the second leg.  Another match to go the whole hog was at Long Crendon VC where the home side eventually came out victorious 3-2.  The highlight?  It's got to be Dave Carruthers hitting 15 dolls in his first four legs, and then the "inevitable" - a blob in his last!  In the 'town derby', the White Hart progressed to the next round, winning 3-1 at home against the Ex Services.

Ardley Utd FC and the Pheasant Inn B had no problems winning their matches in the Supplementary Cup whilst the one at the Hundred Acres was a little tighter with the home side eventually beating the Barley Mow 3-1.

Sixers - Ant Bradbeer, Joe Youn

The draws for the second round of the Cups and the first round of the Plates, to be played on 29th May, have come up with the following:

LEAGUE CUP - SECOND ROUND

Pheasant Inn A v Bell A

Red Lion Brackley v Shakespeare Originals

Shakespeare B v Brill S&SC A

Bull Inn A v Rose & Crown

LEAGUE PLATE - FIRST ROUND

White Horse v Launton S&S B

Nut Tree v Tiddington CC

Fox Souldern B v Crown CoO A

Red Cow v Launton S&S A

INTERMEDIATE CUP - SECOND ROUND

Crown CoO B v Plough MG Two

Lower Heyford S&SC v Long Crendon VC

White Hart v Chearsley Cricketers

Ashton Club v Crown Twyford A

INTERMEDIATE PLATE - FIRST ROUND

Bye v Fox Souldern A

Butchers Arms v Chandos Arms

Ex Services v Bye

Plough MG One v Crown Twyford B

SUPPLEMENTARY CUP SEMI FINALS

Bicester Bowls Club v Pheasant Inn B

Ardley Utd FC v Hundred Acres

SUPPLEMENTARY PLATE SEMI FINALS

Bye v Bell B

Bull Inn B v Barley Mow

Phil Allen

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Annual General Meeting

19^th March 2024

held at the Ex Services Club, Bicester

Apologies: Sophie Thomson, John Plested, Lewis Wilson.

1. Welcome - Phil Allen (Secretary) welcomed everyone to the meeting. How encouraging it was to see so many there (31). He explained that, in the case of any voting throughout the meeting, it would be just one vote per team.

2. Minutes of the last meeting – Those in attendance were happy with the minutes of the 2023 meeting. Proposed by Nick Cherry and seconded by Amy Sheehan.

3. Finance – Phil Allen produced a copy of, and discussed, the accounts which had already been distributed. It was explained that the registration fees (£1395) and the competition entrance fees (£299) were, quite obviously, insufficient to cover the expenditure (£3164.71). And this is why he, as treasurer, was so grateful to a number of sponsors who donated another £1190. It was then further discussed that next season (2025) the registration fees should be increased to £50 per team. All members present were happy with the paperwork produced. Proposed by Billy Atwell and seconded by Ant Bradbeer.

4. Election of officers – the secretary explained that both he and the chairman, George Deans, would be happy to stand again but asked everyone in attendance to bear in mind that the time is near (like, next year!) when members should be considering a replacement for the long standing secretary.

Nomination Proposer Seconder

Chairman/MC George Deans Aimee Sheehan Billy Atwell ) Proposed, seconded

Secretary Phil Allen Aimee Sheehan Billy Atwell ) and voted for en bloc

Treasurer Phil Allen Aimee Sheehan Billy Atwell )

5. Constitution of the League

We will continue as last year, ie:

• nine players may be used in the match

• five legs

• six players per leg

• players can be changed in each leg if desired

• in the event of a drawn leg, three stickers and then one sticker (if necessary), staying on one stick

• one point for a win

Divisions cannot be formulated until completed registration forms are received by the secretary.

The only team known to be dropping out is Launton S&S Divas.

Teams known to be keen to join us are Ardley United FC, Barley Mow, Bicester Bowls Club, Crown Twyford B and Pheasant Inn B.

In the hope of finding more new teams, the secretary has written to a number of “new” pubs to see if they

would like to join us and is awaiting further response.

It was reiterated by the secretary that it wasn’t possible to say at the meeting which team would be in which division. This cannot be done, of course, until the completed registration forms have been returned. And, to amplify this, the secretary will continue to check the registration forms to see if any “higher class” player has dropped into a lower team thereby increasing that team’s potential average. Should that be the case, then consideration will be given as to whether that benefiting team should be in a higher division – and, maybe, if the losing team should drop down.

6. Fixtures/Cup Competitions

The 2024 season will commence on Wednesday 24^th April.

As in recent years, there will be no free weeks in the fixtures – unless, of course, it’s a cup week and teams have already been knocked out. The “divisional” singles and pairs competitions have proven to be a great success and every effort will be given to playing down to the final at each venue, thus eliminating any need for a semi finals night.

With teams now comprising of six players, the previous four a side competition will be replaced by a triples competition.

7. Any other business

The secretary thanked all of our sponsors for their support last season and explained we couldn’t have managed without their help.

Result reporting this coming season will continue to be via WhatsApp.

Karl Budd proposed that the secretary takes his wife out for a meal, paid for out of league funds.

If an away team cannot fulfil a fixture because of a lack of players, or intend not turning up because of

inclement weather, then they are asked to notify the opposition by midday. If the home team/hosting pub or

club have that feeling, or suspect that the visiting team will not turn up, then, to save unnecessary

expenditure, they do not have to prepare food. If cancellation is due to the weather, both teams must

understand that food is unlikely to be prepared.

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TUESDAY

League Champions - Bull Inn

Knockout Cup Winners - Red Cow

Knockout Plate Winners - Bull Inn

2.5prs Cup Winners - Mr&MrsFits

2.5prs Plate Winners - Red Cow

Singles Winner - Ian Cantwell

Pairs Winners - Nigel King and Kevin Powney

Triples Winners - Roger Herbert, Fred Houghton, Michelle 

Oakley

Top Doll Scorer - Karl Budd
Handicap League Winners - Red Cow

Tuesday KO Cup - Ex Services, Bull Inn, Lower Heyford S&SC, Mr&MrsFits

Tuesday KO Plate - Launton S&S, Red Cow, Bell, RiffRaff

Wednesday KO Cup - Misfits, Crown, Bell, The Cherries

Wednesday KO Plate - Unwanted, Ashton Club, Shakespeare, Ex Services