Three in a row for the fourth time

Three adjacent numbers came up again for the fourth week running last Saturday, though 28, 29 and 31 could easily fall into separate blocks for anyone using the blocks of six system mentioned in last week's column. Two numbers, 23 and 40, came up for the second week running, 9 and 28 have both been recent winners and 28 has now become the outright leading number with 19 winning appearances, including a record five as the bonus ball. Meanwhile, only 31 broke a reasonably long losing sequence.

The run of long losing sequences has been steadily growing again in the last six to eight weeks, and 46, 20, 8, 10, 36, 39 and 13 are even more overdue to feature in Bob Monkhouse's debut draw this Saturday. Perhaps he will also change the vibes which have prevented 39, 13, 20, 36, 3, 8, 19, 19, 24, and 34 from making much impression.