League Week 18 Report Extra

"It is the end of an era, we will now dominate in Birmingham just as Curdworth have," enthused Scott Prime as Kingshurst Bribar 'A' ended the 10 year reign of Curdworth as Birmingham champions, with a comfortable 7-3 Premier Division victory.  Prime, Mike Browne and Chris Leach all beat the home duo of Simon Rudland and Andy Hare to clinch the win, although Ian Ferguson in his last competitive match before retirement beat both Browne and Leach.  Hare and Ferguson also gained a fine doubles win over the Browne/Prime combination, but the match ended in anti climax as Ferguson was unable to play Prime due to a stomach muscle strain.  Jason Essex and Paul Taylor also played a full part in a strong Kingshurst squad during the season that kept the pressure on their opponents from the opening match.  "Chris (Leach) gained his first Premier winners medal after 30 years in the game and we are all delighted for Simon (Upson) who has run the club for over 20 years and is responsible for coaching hundreds of youngsters during that time," added Prime, who joined the club at the age of 10.  Helen Turner ended the season in fine style for Sutton 'A', beating both Navinder Matharu and Edward Lynn of Colebridge Braves, although that was the extent of the Sutton success.  Tom Hearne was unbeaten for Braves, who could well be the nearest challengers to Kingshurst in 2006/7.

Hockley Heath 'A' gained wins over both Sandwell Unison and Land Rover 'C' in Division One, to preserve their status, after appearing doomed for relegation. Steve Pinder, Dean Harvey and Dean Hicks won two singles each against Unison, with Hicks and Pinder also combining for a doubles win, whilst Hicks was unbeaten in the 8-2 success over Rover in an 8-2 mauling.  Sutton 'C' and Rover drew 5-5 in a relegation battle, John Dineen of Rover the only unbeaten player.  At the other end of the table Kingshurst Bribar 'D' and Land Rover 'B' also had a 5-5 score-line, with Dave Ameghino having a fine win over star Kingshurst youngster Jack Williamson. Andy Choi gained a maximum for Sutton 'B' in their 6-4 victory over Jacombs 'A'.

Colebridge Eagles, who were already Division Two champions, finished their campaign with a 6-4 win at Quinborne 'A. Eagles were 4-1 down at one stage, in a match that saw individual champion Dan Ranford, lose to both Mahroof Hussain and Mark Hadley of Eagles.  Simon Bailey of Smithereens ended the season in fine form, with another treble against Walmley 'A' in a 6-4 triumph.

Land Rover 'D' hammered their 'E' side 9-1 in Division Three, Rex Gines and Tony Arends unbeaten.  Streetly 'B' were held 5-5 by Sutton 'E', for whom youngster Nabil Khalfey gained a maximum.

Bob Hawthorne, Bob Mason and Tony Williams gained two singles each as Walmley 'C' beat Beaufort Sports 'B' 6-4 in Division Four.  Sutton 'H' drew 5-5 at Lodge Road, with Andrew Nicol of Sutton unbeaten.

In the only Division Five encounter, Ron Fraser of West Midlands Police gained his usual maximum in a 5-5 draw with Sutton 'I'.