Ian Ferguson, the controversial superstar of the sport in the city, has returned to the Premier Division for Colebridge Braves and means business. Bournville 'A' and Land Rover 'A' were both thrashed 10-0, as 'Fergie' inspired his team-mates, Navinder Matharu and Edward Lynn. "I have missed playing and feel refreshed after my break from the game." insisted Ferguson. "Nav (Matharu) and Ed (Lynn) are both outstanding prospects, hopefully I feel I am able to give them some of the advice they need, to take the next step up."
Matharu and Lynn will both be in action for Birmingham in their Midland League clash with the RAF national team at Colebridge on Sunday (2pm). Warwickshire champion Scott Prime from Kingshurst Bribar, captains the side, as they look to hold on to second place in the competition behind runaway leaders Leamington.
Prime, Chris Leach and Michael Browne ensured Kingshurst Bribar 'A' took another step on the path to retaining the Premier Division title, with a 10-0 success over Streetly 'A'. Beaufort Sports 'A' are putting up a tremendous fight in a bid to retain their Premier place, recording an 8-2 victory at Kingshurst Bribar 'C', with Jon Ludlow again in superb form. Helen Turner was forced to concede her games through injury. Kingshurst Bribar 'B' look to have sentenced Land Rover 'A' to relegation after a 7-3 victory, as Karl Manning and Alan Caffrey achieved maximums. Caffrey had another maximum at Bournville 'A', but the home side rallied to a 6-4 victory.
Hall Green 'B' clinched promotion from Division One, after an emphatic 9-1 triumph over Sutton 'B'. Dean Hicks and John Ludford were both unbeaten for Green and also maintained their unbeaten doubles record for the season. Nabil Khalfey had his individual title hopes dented with two defeats, although just losing 11-9 in the fifth after an epic battle with Ludford. Land Rover 'B' are favourites to gain the other promotion spot, as the consistent Bob Allcock led them to a 6-4 victory over Colebridge Giants. Mark Georgevic is producing some classy performances in a bid to save Jacombs 'A' from relegation. He had another maximum against Colebridge Eagles, but could not prevent his side slipping to a 6-4 defeat. Sutton 'A' were held to a 5-5 draw by Kingshurst Bribar 'D' and it needed a shock win by Sutton's Graham Williams over Roger Morris to ensure a share of the spoils. Brian Morris had a superb treble for Sandwell Unison against Hall Green 'A', but Green picked up the rest of the sets for a 7-3 success, although they are still strong favourites for the drop.
Roy Astle was man of the match as Sutton 'D' beat their 'C' side 9-1 in Division Two, although the score did not do justice to the losers. Howard Knight lost three sets in five games, as Astle and Colin Cleverley both won three each for the winners. Walmley 'A' and Colebridge Falcons drew 5-5, with Walmley’s Alan White showing some of his best form of the campaign to gain a maximum.
Beaufort Sports 'B' are in prime form in the Division Three promotion race, recording a 7-3 victory at Land Rover 'E', with the impressive Rob Sheldon unbeaten. The aggressive Bernard Oliver smashed his way to a treble for Hall Green 'C' against visitors Walmley 'B' in a 7-3 result. Bournville 'B' crushed Hall Green 'D' 9-1, with Darren Williams and Pete Haslam gaining maximums. Bournville 'C' suffered 6-4 and 9-1 losses to West Midland Phones 'B' and Sutton 'E' respectively. George Webb showed once again he is ready to move up the divisions with a smart treble for Sutton.
James Watts of Kingshurst Bribar 'F' is an improving young player, as he showed with thee wins in a 6-4 win at Jacombs 'B' in Division Four. Sutton 'F' outclassed Colebridge Indians by an 8-2 margin, with Andrew Nicol again in supreme form.
The experienced duo of Ron Harze and Frank Cheshire led Beaufort Sports 'D' to a 7-3 win at Sutton 'G' in Division Five, while Alan Winspur and Tim Bellamy were both unbeaten for Land Rover 'E' at Jacombs 'C' in a 7-3 success.