Title destiny is firmly in Bolly hands

THE final full weekly schedule of the North West Counties Summer League took place last Thursday – although for the one local club in title contention, any confirmation of honours must await the outcome of certain matches that remain in hand.

South Division leaders Bollington 1 certainly did what was required, by beating Bollington 2 in the club ‘derby’ 5-0 to secure maximum points. Lyndon Stonier, as well as brothers Christian and Martin Ogden, won 3-1, while straight-games victories for Neil Garner and Rob Harland completed the collective rout.

The ‘Bolly Firsts’, who remain unbeaten throughout the campaign with one match still to play, could yet be pipped to the title, but also have matters in their own hands, given that the team’s final opponents will be Glossop – the one side capable of overtaking them – on 19 July.

And, in fact, the destination of the title might be determined before then, after Glossop host Prestbury 1 tomorrow (12 July).

The Bollin Grove ‘Firsts’ currently continue to lie eighth, following last week’s 3-2 defeat at secondplaced Club AZ 1, but could well achieve a mid-table finish – as well as doing their near-neighbours from across the A523 a huge favour – if they win in Derbyshire.

Nathan Mayers earned the Prestbury plaudits at AstraZeneca’s Mulberry’s sports centre – having been called up to play at short notice, and edged out his first-string opponent by the odd game in five after taking to the court with an unfamiliar racquet and in borrowed kit! A walkover-victory at fifth string provided a second, virtual success against AZ - for whom Prestbury junior-loanee Rhys Asquith-Evans (14) triumphed over his home club.

Macclesfield’s campaign came to a disappointing end, after the town’s club was unable to field a side, and conceded its fixture, at home to fellow strugglers Marple. A bottomplaced finish was the consequence for Macc.

In the East Division, Prestbury 2 all but made certain of finishing third, in spite of a 4-1 defeat at mid-table Alderley Edge 2. Mike Brauckmann was the sole winner there for his club, which had claimed the same Section’s title a year previously, but an overall haul of seven points on the night ensured a respectable final placing.