League Week 16 Report

Ian Ferguson put three of the most promising young players in the city in their place, as champions Curdworth crushed Colebridge Braves 8-2, in the Premier Division of the Birmingham League.  Edward Lynn, Navinder Matharu and Tom Hearne were all beaten comfortably by a fired up 'Fergie', although Lynn played well to beat both Simon Rudland and Andy Hare.  Colebridge Aces virtually condemned Sutton 'A' to Division One after inflicting a 9-1 drubbing, Ray Dixon and Pete Roddy unbeaten for Aces.

Dave Smye led Kingshurst Bribar 'D' to a 7-3 win at Sutton 'C' in Division One with a treble.  Howard Knight beat young star Jack Williamson of Kings 13-11 in the fifth after saving three match points.  Kingshurst also beat leaders Land Rover 'B' 6-4, with Williamson gaining a magnificent maximum in this encounter.  Hockley Heath 'A' and Land Rover 'C' drew 5-5 in a relegation battle, with Heath's Dean Harvey the only unbeaten player.  George Hutton's 11-9 in the fifth success over Martin Clayton enabled Sandwell Unison gain a crucial 6-4 success over Bournville 'A'.

Walmley 'A' put a dent in the promotion prospects of Sutton Coldfield 'D' in Division Two, winning 7-3, as Colin Lewis gained a maximum.  Sutton youngster Nabil Khalfey beat both Bob Findlay and Alan White.  Dan Ranford of Quinborne 'A' moved closer to the individual title with another three wins over St Chads, but the bottom side upset the form book with a 6-4 victory.  Colebridge Giants and Smithereens both remain in the hunt for the second promotion place in the division after a 5-5 draw.  Scott Danter of Colebridge Hawks at last produced the results to match his potential with an unbeaten display in his sides 7-3 win against club-mates Colebridge Falcons.

Division Three leaders Land Rover 'D' were held to a draw at Beaufort Sports 'B'. Individual leader Paul Thomas was beaten 11-9 in the fifth by Beaufort's Alan Thompson.  Dean Hicks and Bernard Oliver both gained maximums as Hockley Heath 'B' beat Colebridge Indians 7-3. Bournville 'B' had a 7-3 success over Rover 'E' thanks to a Martin Bevington treble, while Walmley 'B' had a narrow 6-4 win against Bournville 'C', Walmley’s Maurice Clayton being the only unbeaten player.

West Midlands Phones 'B' crushed Beaufort Sports 'C' 10-0 in Division Four to stay top of the division and look likely to be joined by Sutton Coldfield 'F' in Division Three, who thumped Lodge Road 8-2.  Derek Ellis of Sutton beat Alton Burnett 12-10 in the fifth in the last set of the night.  Lodge got back to winning ways with a 9-1 victory over Land Rover 'F'.  Sutton 'G' beat their 'H' side 8-2

Paul and Stuart Oakes were both unbeaten for leaders Streetly 'C' in their 7-3 win over Kingshurst Bribar 'F' in Division Five.