Old Market Tavern vs Vine Inn

Match Information

Old Market Tavern 4 – 3 Vine Inn

Two weeks previously, The Vine recorded a commanding 6-1 home win against the Old Market Tavern, but this time around was a different story as the Altrincham side hit back on home ground with a hard-fought 4–3 win. The visitors did have the consolation of  winning the gallon at the start of the night, but the night belonged to the Old Market Tavern who record only their second win of the season – and against a quality side with real promotion intent this season.

The Vine started where they left off in the previous meeting and raced into a 2–0 lead with back-to-back 2–0 wins — Geoff Sanders beating Mandy Haycocks, and Kyran Eyes seeing off Alastair Pinchien.

Steven Foster stopped the slide in Game 3, edging Ryan Sanders 2–1. Foster hit two tons; with Sanders responded with three and the Tavern were on the board. Buoyed by that success, the Tavern gathered some momentum as Nathan Potts then levelled the match at 2-2 with a 2–1 win over Wayne Hough, scoring two tons in the process.

The run continued as Tavern skipper Richard Haycocks made it 3–2 to the hosts with a 2–1 win over Billy Sanders who hit a 20 dart leg in defeat, but The Vine weren’t done, Charlie Sanders drew them level again in Game 6 with a 2–0 win against Emily Haycocks, in a solid performane which included two tons and a 22-darter.

It all came down to game 7 where Les Potts edged out Josh Bailey 2–1 to seal a shock win for the home side. While three points gained means its not all doom and gloom for the Vine, the result represents a third loss in four games after looking at one stage like they were going to romp the Division. As it is, they now sit third, six points behind top placed Buck Inn-eers who they face in a fortnights time and five behind the Dog & Partridge in second.

Next up for the Old Market Tavern is a tough away fixture in the Last 16 of the KO Shield as they visit Division 1’s Royal Oak A,  while The Vine have a couple of weeks off to recuperate with their KO Cup Last 16 game against the Ammies already played, and a they have a bye week before facing The Bucks in a must win game on 30th July.