the players competing tonight were -: 

   Wavertree Labour 'A'   Dave Roberts, Peter Howden, John Rowan, Paul Banks (Captain).   

   Bath Street 'D'    Mark Patterson, Neil Pritchett, Les Gee, Peter Ross (Captain).

Top of the table Wavertree Labour ‘A’, called Peter Howden to play 3rd place Bath Street's No.1 Mark Patterson, two players who’s game is hard hitting, and what an enjoyable set to watch, terrific shots, allied with good deep defensive play, first game to Peter11-8, but Mark’s attacking game making Peter defend a little more than he would have liked, and having to snatch at winning shots, Mark winning the next 3 games, 6-8 & 3. 

Wavertree reversed the call, No.1 Dave v No. 2 Neil, another hard hitter, but with Dave’s clever use of his bat, made getting the right hit difficult to judge, and consequently, Neil got a lot of cracking shots in, but missed more, but with Dave’s ability to change the pace and direction of the ball at will, the set ended in 3 games, to Dave, 8, 5, 11.

Next call by Bath St. kept Neil on the table to play No.3 John Rowan, another player who likes to defend, but smacks them when the chance pops up, Neil must have been overcome with frustration as his shots either came back or clipped the net, John winning the first two9 & 9, then coming back from behind in the third to win 15-13. Wavertree then call Paul to play Les, Paul wins in 3 but was uncomfortable with Les’s game and use of the bat, but Les not being able to put away the many chances he made Paul pop up high, frustration on both players, but Paul coping best to win 13-11, 11-6, 14-12.

Bath St’s captain Peter then called himself on against John, a game Peter needed to win, again John not comfortable with Peter’s use of his bat, but John content to play out the points, putting the pressure on Peter to win the point, that said, John didn’t waste many chances when they were there, winning the first two games 5 & 7. Peter won the next 11-9, but that was it John getting the 4^th 11-9.

So at 4-1 to Wavertree, they call the two one’s, Dave and Mark, an up hill game for Mark, and so it turned out, some great points, Mark’s attacking pushing Dave way back, this being Dave’s first season back since his double Knee operation, was moving about remarkably well, and defending with all kinds of return shots, and when on the table, angling difficult shots for Mark to retrieve. Mark’s attacking shots, which were ripping past Peter in the first set, just weren’t getting the same result against Dave, Dave winning in 3 games, 2, 12, & 4. Congratulations to Wavertree Labour ‘A’ for what is the only double of this season, the 3^rd Div. Champions and Cup winners.

Result -:  Wavertree Labour ‘A’  5  -  Bath Street ‘D’  1

 R.W.