Published: 03/11/2009 00:00 - Updated: 05/11/2009 12:01

Poor starts for promoted sides

POOL

THE first week of the winter season saw the promoted sides in Division One discover that it is going to be a very tough job trying to avoid relegation.

Crown A (Stapenhill) already know it is going to be tough as they have won Division Two, been relegated and taken the Division Two title again in the past three seasons.

On the opening week, they took on Joiners (Woodville) and managed to win two of the first three frames, but any thoughts of victory soon disappeared as their opponents won four frames in a row to wrap up the points.

The final score was 6-3 and got the Woodville team off to a great start to the campaign.

The runners-up in Division Two last season were Dog Inn and they faced Wellington A in their first match amongst the elite.

They were soon 2-0 down before Ian Wildgust broke and cleared the table to show that he can compete with the best.

This spurred his side on to draw level at 3-3, but finally lost 6-3.

The team who had finished third in Division Two, Great Northern B, had the most harrowing time as they went 7-0 down, and it looked as though their first match at the top level would end in a whitewash.

They were up against Doveside A, last season’s runners-up, so knew it would be tough, but skipper Steve Pearce finally saved the day by winning the final singles before teaming up with Ian Marrison to take the final doubles and make it 7-2.

Defending champions Dart D started well, going 3-0 up, and had the third of the Chambers brothers, Gary, returning to league action after several years.

He made the score 4-1, but Trafalgar A, who had finished third in the summer, fought back well to win three of the last four frames to only go down 5-4.

Punch Bowl A have moved to the Dart Inn this season and began life in their new surroundings by trouncing Beech A 6-3.

Billys B, previously New Talbot, also had a good start at their new venue as they defeated Grove 5-4.

In Division Two, Shobnall A were one of three teams who could not raise a side on their first week and had to suffer a 4-0 defeat and a £5 fine.

Of the other matches, three ended 5-2 and the other two were decided on the final frame.

Crown B (Stapenhill) just pipped Black Horse (Stanton) in a match in which they always had the upper hand, but their opponents put in a final spurt which only just fell short of clinching victory.

Wyggeston, fifth in Division Three last summer, started the season with a late result which put them on a final warning, but on the plus side, they just managed to defeat Gardens in a very tight match.

Grange C and Beacon had finished third and second respectively in Division Three in the summer but it was the former who made a good start after the match had begun with two clearances from the break.

Tim Horvath was the first to do it, putting Grange ahead, but Craig Stewart replied in similar fashion to get the match off to an incredible start.

After that, Grange took control and finally won 5-2.

Wellington B had won Division Three while Rising Sun had been relegated from the top flight, so this was always going to be an interesting match.

Unfortunately for Wellington, they have lost two of their top stars and the Willington side showed that they will be one of the frontrunners as they took the first five frames before their opponents saved themselves by taking both doubles.

Grange A came down from Division One after spending nearly all summer in bottom spot and they found no respite in this division as Monksbridge A soon took control to win 5-2.

In Division Three, promoted Q Club also started the season without a team and a £5 fine, giving New Inn (Horninglow) a good opening result.

Like in Division Two, of the other five matches, two ended up as 4-3 affairs while the other three all finished 5-2.

Stretton Bowls had an amazing match with New Inn (Stapenhill) as they scorched into a 3-0 lead before losing the next three.

It was a thrilling finale, with the bowlers from Stretton relieved to finally cross the winning line.

New side Mount Pleasant should be major contenders but promoted Barton Bowls gave them a run for their money and only just lost out 4-3.

Billys A are another new side expected to do well and promoted Caribbean A found that life in this division will be tough as, despite winning two of the first four frames, their opponents stormed away to win the last three.

Monksbridge B, relegated from Division Two, found life in Division Three much to their liking as they took control to beat Trafalgar B after only five frames.

Dart Inn A were relegated from Division Two while Gate Inn (Branston) were promoted from Division Four and, unfortunately for Dart, they soon discovered that things will not be any easier at this level.

Gate, formerly Acorn, proved to be a really strong side and although they only came fifth in Division Four, they stormed to victory after only five frames.

In the top four divisions, there was no sign of any results other than 4-3 or 5-3 as in Division Four, three teams won 4-3 while two teams are in joint top spot after winning 5-2.

Branston Arms were promoted after finishing second in Division Five while Black Horse (Moor Street) are a new team and this match went all the way, with the former winning it on the final doubles.

Punch Bowl D won Division Five while Anchor were relegated from Division Three but started well to go 2-0 up, only to lose on the final frame.

Leopard’s table was full of spots as their balls were spots and stripes.

Oddfellows just could not get to grips with the table, despite taking a 3-2 lead, as the home side won both doubles to edge a victory.

Blacksmiths and Crescent A will be frontrunners and they are already joint top as both teams won 5-2.

In Division Five, there was finally a 6-1 scoreline as new team Doveside B are already showing they could be a good side, while Great Northern A showed they will probably struggle again.

Foresters B and Navigation was all square at 2-2 before two frames in a row saw the former emerge victorious.

South Stapenhill SC had mixed fortunes as the A team just lost while the B side won as both matches finished 4-3.

Returning sides Spread Eagle (Etwall) and Coopers Arms both triumphed — 4-3 and 5-2 respectively.

In the new Jean Jordan Mixed Division, which has five ladies’ and seven men’s teams, it was the men who took a pounding.

Wellington ladies showed Copper Hearth the way as they secured the best result in the division, winning 8-1.

Grange ladies were also in fine form and Star and Garter were happy to win three of the nine frames.

Shobnall B were expected to do well in this division but were shocked by Crown ladies, who came from 3-1 down to win four frames in a row and take the match 5-4.

There was no result from the Red Lion v Leopard B match while Crescent B struggled to raise a team before finally defeating Punch Bowl 6-3.

An all-ladies match between Billys and Dart was hotly contested, with former Royal Oak (Horninglow) Billys just snatching a 4-3 victory.

Anyone entering this season’s competitions should have done so by now, but Thursday is the absolute deadline.

Anyone can enter the Barry Bond Pairs but the Trevor Jordan Pairs is only for division Four, Five, Jean Jordan and ladies teams.