SOUTHPORT BADMINTON LEAGUE
THE perfect season has come to an end for Woodvale’s first team as the first division leaders drew 4-4 against an inspired Crosby team in what has been a week full of twists in round 15 of the ‘MKM Building Supplies’ Southport and District Badminton League.
Despite going in 3-1 down after the mixed doubles, winning three of the remaining four contests saw Crosby show everyone how good they can be in what has generally been an under-achieving season for this talented side.
While Woodvale still remain on course for a third league championship in the club’s history, this latest result has given hope to second place side Churchtown.
The title rivals cruised to a 7-1 away win against Ormskirk. This latest win now puts them four points behind Woodvale along with a game in hand.
As for Ormskirk, they remain looking over their shoulders as they remain in a relegation battle that is now looking more and more likely to be decided in the final week.
This is due to Churchtown’s second team securing back-to-back wins for the first time this season. Their efforts of ousting Southport’s first team was rewarded with a strong 7-1 win over bottom side Ormskirk II.
Also looking for a way out of trouble is Westsands’ first team. They maintained a strong start in their encounter with Southport that earned a crucial 5-3 home win.
These recent result now puts Southport into the danger zone. But with two points separating five sides for the second relegation spot, there are still many developments to take place.
There was more significant news involving Crosby this past week, as their second team confirmed promotion into the first division. They did it in commanding fashion as they dominated division title rivals Woodvale II by a score of 8-0. In what has been a season long battle at the top of this division between these two sides, this eagerly awaited clash had been highly anticipated for some time after the reverse fixture ended in a 4-4 draw.
In the end, Crosby was in ruthless form and showed the rest of the league that this team has bigger ambitions that go beyond this season. This result now puts Crosby II in prime position for an impressive fifth consecutive division title.
At the opposite end of the table, the fate of Westsands III was sealed as relegation was confirmed without them hitting a shuttle.
In what has been a tough season for them, life back in the third division could be a more comforting environment for them.
Relegation was confirmed when Tarleton III upset Westsands’ second team 6-2. This result now moves Tarleton out of the bottom two for the time being.
The only other second division result saw
Churchtown III further cement their third place in the table with a comfortable 7-1 away win at Mawdesley.
The promotions continued as a 6-2 home win over Crosby III ended a ten year spell in the fourth division for St.
Cuthberts II. Without a league loss to their name, their thirteenth win of the season confirmed what many have been expecting.
In other fourth division action, it was a busy week for Burscough Pioneers II and Crosby III as they both pulled double duty with rearranged matches.
With the former looking to join St. Cuthberts II in promotion, the latter is looking for a great escape.
Burscough’s week began with a narrow 5-3 away win over a Churchtown V side that is looking to avoid the drop.
A couple of three set wins in the men’s doubles was enough for Burscough to pull off a victory in a contest that looked destined to be a draw.
It seemed that all that effort came at a cost as they unexpectedly fell 6-2 to Crosby
III later in the week.
Despite losing to leaders St. Cuthberts II earlier in the week, Crosby’s confidence remained high as a much stronger side was able to be fielded.
It ended up being such an inspired performance that could save their season.
In the end, a 6-2 home win over the second place side puts Crosby one point off safety with a game in hand.
As for Burscough they still remain in control of their own destiny despite the loss as they have a five point lead with three games remaining.
This was aided by the 4-4 draw of third and fourth place sides Woodvale V and Formby.
With both sides missing opportunities of claiming the win, it was only right both sides shared the spoils in a highly entertaining contest.