Pavilions’ Lions roar to epic triumph over Tigers in ‘battle of big cats’

LAST Tuesday saw Section One leaders Pavilions ‘A’ travel to take on last season’s unbeaten champions Tigers Head – and they came away with a fantastic 150-139 victory.

After the first four had split at two games each, the Lions held a slender six-chalk lead. Simon Jones (21-11) and Bob Johnston (21-20) got the Lions off to a good start with Mark Winningtin (21-17) and Barry Ellams (21-20) replying for Tigers.

The second four saw Tigers pull the chalks back and take a seven-chalk lead, Jim Large contributing a 21-8 success.

However the final three Lions players upped their game with Pat Crowe (21-12) captain Neal Ocego (21-14) and Mark Furber (21-19), all winning, roared on by their colleagues at the side of the green.

Second-placed Norton Arms ‘A’ travelled to take on Helsby ‘C’ and ran out the winners 144-120.

Terry Evans and Gareth Dimelow (both 21-7) led the way for the Arms. The best reply for Helsby came via Rose Walker (21-12) and husband Jim Walker (21-14).

Third-placed Kingswood ‘A’ also travelled to Helsby to take on their ‘A’ team, and in a hard-fought encounter were victorious by just six chalks, 126-120. Leading the way for Kingswood were Steve Jones (21-6), John Hoey (21-7) and Glynn Jacks (21-10).

Robert Ellison (21-9) and Graham Yearsley (21-10) caught the eye for Helsby.

Section Two pacesetters Pavilions ‘B’ took on secondplaced Subscription and ran out the winners 159-107.

Leading the way for Pavilions were Steve Cross (21-6), Peter White (21-8) and Ken Lethbridge (21-10). The best replies for Subscription were recorded by Don Bryning (21-14) and John Owen (21-19).

Kingswood ‘B’ are third and have a game in hand on the top two. They took on fourth-placed Willow Brook and ran out the convincing winners 156-83.

Jane Yelland (21-2), Graham Donnelly (21-3) and Derek Bowker (21-5) led the way for the winners.

The best replies for Willow Brook came from Dave Edwards (21-13) and Peter Okell (21-17).

Section Three leaders Halton RBL ‘B’ took on third-placed Castle Park and were triumphant 157-132.

Mike Ellison (21-5) and John Lawson (21-10) were the best winners for the Legion.

Impressing for Castle Park were Peter Snelson (21-14) and Bill McGibbon (21-18).

Second-placed Grapes ‘B’ travelled to take on fourthplaced Egerton B and in a very tight encounter it was Egerton who edged a 124-123 decision.

The best wins on the night went to Grapes’ Bob Phillips (21-3), Tracey Marshall (21-7) and Alan Massey (21-09). Replying for Egerton were Ritchie McGarrigle and Pat Cooney (both 21-10) and Les Morris (21-11).