British League

Ian Ferguson teamed up with Kingshurst Bribar trio Mike Browne, Scott Prime and Jason Essex, to achieve an amazing rescue act, which kept Kingshurst, the only Birmingham club in the British League, in Division Two South and Midlands.

Defeats against Harvey Barnets and Bedford meant that only victories over Ashford and Northampton would save them from relegation.  Browne and Prime, finalists in the men's singles at the recent Birmingham Closed, were unbeaten in a 6-2 victory over Ashford, with Northampton also despatched by a 6-2 margin, with Ferguson and Essex this time winning both singles.  Ferguson was competing in his last British League matches after appearing in the national competition since the early 1990s.  "It was great effort by the lads," insisted Ferguson.  "I would have been gutted if we had gone down and I look forward to the youngsters taking the club forward in the competition.

"Many people think there is is a agenda between the Kingshurst and Curdworth clubs, but with me combining with the Kingshurst players in this prestigious competition, proves there is not.  "The forthcoming Battle of Brum II between the two clubs, will be a fitting end to my career in the city."

The Colebridge club from Shirley provided all the players for the Warwickshire O/60’s team that finished third in the Northern section of the County Championship.  There were wins over Cheshire II and Bedfordshire by 8-2 and 7-3 margins, defeats against Worcestershire and Yorkshire and a 5-5 draw Cheshire II.  Neil Wheatley and Graham Hoskin both won six singles out of ten. Pete Roddy and Ann Lloyd also played their part in both singles and doubles.