Craven’s surprise for Hitchen

THE Frank Beeley Trophy got underway on Sunday evening at a busy Houldsworth Working Mens Club.

One of Yorkshire’s best ever players, Bob Hitchen, was anticipated to get the job done and qualify.

In round one Hitchen was paired with wildcard entry Paul Craven a rank outsider on paper.

In a Champagne moment, Craven stunned Hitchen and the crowd to send the Yorkshireman packing 21-10.

In round two Craven threatened a repeat as he led the way against Spring Waterloo winner Mike Leach.

The man from Ashton ran out of petrol though with Leach storming back to win 21-13.

The final match was an epic as Leach squeezed through 21-20 over Oldham’s Darren Griffiths.

In the top half of the draw Yorkshire’s Thomas Hanson completed qualification with a 21-11 result over Gareth Gwilliam.

It’s full county action this coming Sunday with Cheshire in action against Staffordshire. If other results go the right way Cheshire could reach the semi finals so it’s sure to be a good match.

The home leg is at LMRCA in Altrincham and play gets underway at 2pm. The away leg is being played at the Old Rag Inn in Staffordshire also at 2pm.

Cheshire Federation played its second match against Airedale B in division six of the competition. Cheshire faired relatively well in some individual games but did eventually slip to a 23-9 overall loss.

The Isle Of Man impacted on S and D games locally with league leaders Houldsworth cancelling there game.

It’s the bottom of the table that looks the most interesting as we pass the halfway stage.

Houldsworth Two look in major trouble after picking up just a sole Roy Tarmey win away ay Waggon and Horses.

Also bang in trouble are Nursery who suffered a 12-4 reverse against an improving Poynton Sports. There is a bit of a gap developing and Nursery and Houldsworth Two need results badly. The George and Dragon have lifted themselves from a slump and defeated Hadfield 8-7.5 on Tuesday.