Riley’s, Wolverhampton was the setting for the Riley’s Masters final’s, where 100 players turned out to do battle for the title and the £1,000 top prize.
In the last four playoff Welshman Phil Daniels beat Evesham based Mike Marshall 6-2, while in the other semi final Richie Edhouse, from Essex had a 6-4 win against Tipton and West Midland star Ian Jones.
The final produced a fascinating tussle between Daniels and Edhouse with the latter just getting the edge with a 7-5 verdict.
After the winner’s £1,00 prize there was £550 for runner up Phil Daniels, £230 for Mike Marshall and Ian Jones as losing semi finalists, £85 for losing quarter finalists, Conan Whitehead, James Richardson, Gary Swann and Rob Alford, £50 for Mark Wilson, Lionel Sams, Simon Rammage, Liam Kipling, Mark Westgarth, Paul Rowe, Stuart Lowe, Jason Mold, who lost in the last sixteen and for the last 32 losers Paul Daniels, Mick Malone, Mark Barilli, Nick Fullwell, Jason Lovett, Stuart Graham, Dave Solly, Dave Ladley, Andy Roberts, Barrie Webb, Mark Carter, Lee Hanley, Dennis Harbour, Sam Head, Scott Ridler and Stewart Ritchie, they each collected £35.
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The Sheldon and District Summer League staged the preliminary round of their Mrs F.Richman Cup and the biggest winners of the round were the top two teams in group one, Riley’s Kings and Crown at Olton plus Saltley Amateur Gardeners, in turn they defeated Highwood KB’s, Yardley Ex Colts and Emerald Flights 7-0. Close behind were Lea Hall Arrows, who won 6-1 at Riley’s Wings.
Other teams going through to the next round are Holy Souls, Crown Arrows, Greville Arms, Banbury Club and Marston Green Tavern.
One rearranged group one fixture was also played in which Iron Horse beat Highwood Arrows 6-2, the match containing no fewer than 49 tons or more, the losers actually out-tonning their victors by 26 to 23.
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The South Birmingham League have got their new season underway and have increased their numbers by two more teams making it eighteen in all and as a result have increased their divisions to three, with six teams in each division.
Punchbowl and Mackadown Social got the season off to a good start in group ‘A with 7-1 wins over Kingfisher and Farthings respectively, while in group ‘B’ St John’s had a 7-1 win against The Trident. The Dog were awarded an 8-0 win as Raven Flights failed to turn up.
The Crown, Shard End were group ‘C’s’ biggest winners, a 6-2 success at home to Coleshill Social.
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Scruffy Ringers had a convincing 6-1 win at Bordesley Labour Club to take them into pole position in the Camp Hill League, however, two new teams to the league, Shaftmoor Lions and Cotterills Lane Club have both only played one game, Shaftmoor winning 5-2 away to Devil’s Club and Cotterills having a 4-3 home win over Waggoners to keep the pressure on the early leaders.
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The Divisional Cup finals were the order of the day for the Pip Club League, in the division one final Bulls Head (Polesworth) beat Dosthill Club and it was good news for Belgrave Club in the division two play off as they accounted for Travellers.
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Gulp Tribe made it eighteen wins in nineteen games in the Small Heath League when they won 5-4 at Wagon and Horses to keep them four points ahead of second in the table Emerald Club with a game in hand. Emerald Club were also 5-4 winners away to Redhill Wanderers.
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At the half way point in the Vic Lloyd Thursday Night League’s season two teams, Cleveland Arms and Quarry Bank are battling it out for the title, Quarry Bank are second two points behind Cleveland, but with a game in hand. In the latest round of fixtures Cleveland won their home tie with Grapes 5-1, Quarry Bank winning their home game with Whitmore Reans WMC 4-3.
Fourth placed New Inns were in top form handing out a 6-0 whitewash to their hosts Orange Tree, who are next to bottom in the table.
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In the Rowley Monday Night League this week leaders Bulls Head made it 18 wins in 19 games with an 8-1 win at York Road Sports and Social. The Bell, who are currently second in the table lost ground as they went down 5-4 away to Ivy Bush ‘A’ to put them four points off the top. Ivy Bush ‘Z’, who won 6-3 at Golden Cue join the Bell on the same 32 points, the two teams also having exactly the same average.
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The Forest of Arden Summer League had the preliminary round of their Knockout Cup on the fixture card third division Ivy Leaf Bulls providing the biggest shock as they won their home game against division two opponents The Crane 5-2. Highwood KB, unbeaten leaders of the second division also had a surprise as they lost 5-2 at home to Crown Arrows who are third in the same division.
Olton Crown and Highwood ‘A’ won the all division one games against respective opponents Harvester and Riley’s Red Arrows, while the all third division clash between Greville Arms and Ivy Leaf produced a 4-3 win for Ivy Leaf.
Other winners from the round were, Greville Arrows and Chelmsley Town, Sheldon Flights had a bye.
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Week 16 saw the top five teams in division one of the Wolverhampton Tuesday Night League all win. Village ‘A’ are top of the pile and chalked up a massive 7-0 win at Merry Boys to give them 28 points. Only average separates Otter and Vixen ‘B’ and Wolverhampton Sports Arena, each of them on 24 points after beating in turn Boat ‘B’ 5-2 and Railway 4-3.
Electric remain in the number one spot in division two, their latest victory a 5-2 win over Boat ‘A’. Riley’s ‘A moved up from fourth to second in the table with a 4-3 win at Bradmore, who drop from third to fourth. Village ‘B’ also drop one place to third following their surprising 4-3 home defeat by sixth in the table Corpus.
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The Singles Knockout was on the agenda for the Tettenhall Wednesday Night League and taking the title was Wednesfield FC representative Mick Baker. Mick lifted the silverware after a final success against Nathan Morris from Riley’s ‘A.
Losing semi finalists were, Charlie Atkins (Riley’s ‘A) and Jon Cunningham (Moreton).
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