West Mids climb after capital gains

WEST Midlands moved into third spot in the UKDA National League's Andy Wheeler Fisheries Championship Division after recording a 22-14 win at home to London.

- By ALAN TOWE

Going into their fourth fixture of the season, West Midlands were in fourth place but with a game in hand on the teams above them, while their visitors were four places below them with 15 fewer points.

Both of the ladies teams finished all-square at three each, the ‘B’ side's top players was Hannah Davies who in her 3-1 win over Lynne Biondini averaged 18.19 while the lady of the match for the ‘A’ team was Kat McLean who had a 3-2 win over Jo Deamer with a 19.90 average.

There were wins for both the men’s sides, the ‘B’ recording a 7-5 success with their top player being Dean Simmons-Fullwood who won 4-3 against John Hetterley with a 26.70 average.

The man of the match for the ‘A’ team was Jay Woodhouse who beat Graham Rackstraw, again by 4-3 and averaged 27.09 as the team chalked up a 9-3 victory.

West Midlands now sit third with 96 points, 20 fewer than leaders Middlesex who have played one game more than the West Midlands as have second-placed Hampshire who are only nine points to the good on the Midlanders.

In the UKDA National League's L-Style Division One, it was not a good weekend for the Black Country who returned from their journey to Leicestershire on the wrong side of the 20-16 result.

Prior to the fixture Black Country were third in the table and their hosts fifth but with a game in hand.

On both Saturday and Sunday, the results for both the men and ladies were the same, the men finishing all-square at 6-6 and the ladies both going down 4-2.

Match awards for the ‘B’ sides went to Scarlett O’Sullivan, who won 3-0 against Nicky Cropper with a 14.88 average, and Andy Garratt, who despite being taken to a deciding leg by Derek Allsopp, won 4-3 and averaged 27.16.

Heather Wright was the ‘A’ team’s top lady, beating Liz Brunt 3-2 with a 16.74 average. Kieran Bridgwater was in superb form for the men’s ‘N, chalking up a fantastic 33.40 average in his straight 4-0 win over Scott Hope.