Cuthberts in control of Watkinson Trophy
ST. Cuthberts made it a successful week with two of their remaining teams both winning in the second round of the ‘Master Lock & Safe’ Southport and District Badminton League’s most prestigious competition, the Watkinson Trophy.
With no clubs looking to take control of this competition with strength in numbers, it is looking to be a wide open contest to see who will take part in the league’s last final at the end of the season.
However, St. Cuthberts have certainly hedged their bets by getting their two remaining sides into the last 16.
Their third team put in a great performance to topple Southport of the first division 416-400. The fifth division side matched their solid performances in the league with another well-deserved win in this cup competition.
They made the most of their handicap advantage and took out a strong contender.
As for their first team, they ignored their struggles in the second division to take out high flying fourth division side Southsands II 394-385.
With confidence in their opponents pre-match, it took a lot of will and determination to use that as an incentive to push for a much needed win.
It is a victory that they hope will transcend into their league form after the Christmas break.
One club that has a rich history of success in this competition is Woodvale.
However, it is their first team that has the rare duty of flying the flag for them.
With results of their other teams left to be confirmed, it is the first division side that are the only ones that have so far progressed to the third round.
They comfortably saw off third division side Ormskirk II 400-380.
Hesketh Bank’s first team prevailed in what was a hotly contested cup tie against an in-form Ormskirk III.
Not even the handicap disadvantage could stop the third division from coming out as victors in their four-point victory over a fifth division side that has league promotion on their mind.
There was some success for Ormskirk in the end, as their fourth team took out the always dangerous Tarleton.
Despite the second division side winning all of the matches, the points gained by Ormskirk IV was enough to combine a winning score along with the handicap they were given.
Their 413-400 win means a trip into round three.
Meanwhile, Tarleton II upset third division leaders Mawdesley III 374-366 and sixth division promotion contenders Southport VIII took down their own second team 422400.
There were also wins for Southsands and Mawdesley IV. They all managed to avoid being ousted by the handicap of their lower division opponents, Southport VI and Formby Methodist respectively.
Next week sees the league action return.
It is beginning of the second half of the season, and also the last round of matches before the wellearned Christmas break.
If you want to keep up to date with the latest news, results and league tables, then be sure to check out the league’s official website, www.southportbadminton.com.
Also, make sure you like the league’s official Facebook page.