It’s Para-normal

AS the first round of the Gunson Handicap Cup got under way, all eyes were definitely on the the player handicaps, asking the question: would those shortcomings of last season be a thing of the past?

Well, if the preliminary round tie between Southport D from the third and Argyle A was anything to go on, then the improvement was up and running. Just seven points separated the teams, with the first division side progressing after clawing back a 310 points deficit. First stop of round one was The Spinal Unit Sportshall to check if third division Para’s could hold onto a 138pt advantage afforded to them against high flying Argyle C from the second.

Mark Wilson and Argyle’s Patrick Devlin got things going with an intriguing 49-49 stalemate before Kostya Sinitsa continued to give his side a wonderful start with a 50-38 outright win over Naresh Tagore, after which he stayed put to increase that pressure even more with a narrow 42-45 loss against Julian Dutch.

Now trailing a further 9pts, at 141-132, it was time for the cavalry in the shape of Argyle’s Joe Howard who earned his side a fighting chance with consecutive wins totalling 39-110 against Ian Littlewood and Mark, which now gave the visitors a 62pt lead at 180-242 without the handicap.

Patrick then increased that advantage to 78pts with victory over Matt Spofforth but still left the visitors somewhat adrift of their target.

Another pivotal win from Ian over Julian then left them completely stranded at 64pts ahead with no chance of overhauling that 138pt handicap with just one contest to go.

Naresh made his evening a little more bearable with a 26-55 win over Matt, but the damage had already been done, and the Para’s deservedly progress with a 432- 387 win.

Great win for the Para’s there, and the ties began to ooze even closer contests, the best being a 351-350 win for first division Crosby D at home to second division Princes St D, where their 38pt deficit was turned into a ‘one’ point win, Lee Madin the hero of the hour.

Argyle A squeezed past fellow top tier side Southport A by just 13pts, captain Mark Jagger inflicting the final blows.

Division two leaders Argyle D’s derby tie versus third division leaders Argyle H, looked an interesting clash, and with the H team starting with a 102pts start, would that be enough?

Just about, as Lee Hesketh summoned up enough to clinch a 14pt success, in the very last contest.

A similar story panned out in the all first division Crosby affair, leaders the A team versus bottom team Crosby C.

A fantastic match throughout,