With September comes the start of the dale’s 5s&3s dominoes league. New chairwoman Gillian Watson tells reporter Sam Alexander of future plans and why it’s a game anyone can embrace and enjoy...
THE turn of the calendar over to September and into the autumn months means temperatures start to drop and trees begin to shed their leaves. It also signals the return of the Barnard Castle and District 5s&3s dominoes league.
Dominoes as a sport can be traced all the way back to China in the 12th century, but the 5s&3s version of the game emerged in the early 20th century and is played in many pubs across the country to this day.
The rules are fairly simple.
If the sum of the exposed ends of the line of dominoes adds up to a multiple of five and/or three then the player scores a number of points based on that multiple – hence the name 5s&3s.
Nineteen teams have signed up for the league this season and they are split into two divisions.
This year has seen a change of chairperson of the league’s committee.
Eddie Tinkler had previously successfully been at the forefront of the league but following his decision to step down, Gillian Watson has taken over and takes the mantle as the inaugural woman to hold the post.
She brings to the league a fresh enthusiasm and an ambition to grow the sport.
The 5s&3s league has been a regular fixture throughout the autumn and winter and is a great way during the darker months for the competitors to find a way to socialise.
Gillian said: “It’s a great social event each week. You meet other teams, socialise with each other then we all get a meal at the end of the evening.”
Despite a healthy number of teams signing up for the league, Gillian and her fellow committee members are keen to bring newcomers to the sport and maybe attract a few returning players from previous years.
They are running a taster session for those who may want to get involved in the pastime, at Barnard Castle Workingmen’s Club on November 14, 7.30pm start.
“We’re trying to get more people interested and participating in the sport. Hopefully, we can get more clubs and pubs to field extra teams,” said Gillian
“It would be great to get more interest and bring more people to the game.
“The plan is to host three taster sessions, with the first one being on November 14.”
She added: “We will then have one at Middleton-in-Teesdale Sports and Social Club with the date for that yet to be finalised.
“There will be a competitive element to the sessions but the main target is to bring new people into the sport.”
As well as the sessions over winter, there will also be a Spring Cup which will be held at the end of the regular season.
This will also be open to teams who do not currently compete, as a way for them to see if they would like to enter a team for next season.
The Spring Cup will be slotted in between the end of the league season and the annual knockout competitions.
“We think the cup is a great idea as it gives individuals and teams an opportunity to see if they want to get involved without having to fully commit to a full season,” added Gillian.
“We would love for some of those teams to then be involved when we sit here next September.”
As well as the darts and pool leagues, which are continuing to blossom and grow, it looks like 5s&3s in the area will be heading for greater heights in years to come.
