Exams fail in their final test

DESPITE winning eight out of the nine matches in the Handicap League, Exams fell at the last hurdle to their last remaining challenger Southport FC whose better points difference gave them the number one spot.

The football club started strongly and withstood a late rally from the visitors to finish 39-36 ahead led by Geoff Wilde 14 and Mick Hopkins 12 with Dermot Williams and Brian Waggett, both, 13 leading for the visitors.

Wings finished in third place.

Conceding 26, they proved too strong for St Jeromes in winning 60-46 with good scoring from Dag Griffiths 22, Bob Parry 15 and Tom Farley 14.

Conceding 22 to ExPats, Casablanca were 28 behind after two rounds but won all the remaining rounds to finish at 53-53 led by Dave Dutton 22 and Bill Thomas 18. From a level start, Ainsdale Sands finished the stronger at Quads to win 39-35 with good scoring from Jack Gardner 15 and Derek Roberts 10 with Richard Farbon 20 leading the home side. Of the two new teams, Mixed Blues fared the better in this format though this week they went down 41-37 to Devonshire Club, after receiving 8, with Devonshire finishing a creditable 5th in the league.

Dave Leyland 13, Brian Cummins 12 and John Richards 10 contributed well for the visitors and Bill Morris 13 and Claire Newbery 11 for the Blues.

Receiving 13, Dismounted finished the season with a 47-44 victory over E Street Band led by Steve Watson 13 and Frank Hansen 12 with Dave Nickeas 17, Alan Wright 15 and Dave Twigge 12 leading for the visitors. Receiving 11, Formby Pavilion were five points ahead going into the last round with Formby Sports but lost it 8-3 to finish at 40-40 with Leon Metford 10 leading for Pavilion and Sheila Tickle 15 and Gary Buxton 10 for the visitors. Led by Ann Evans 18 and receiving 5, MPs dominated their match at Fishermen’s Rest and finished 42 - 29 ahead.