LADIES pairs winners Dorothy Heavisides and Margaret Powell.

LADIES pairs runners-up Liz Hope and Julie Charlton

BARNARD Castle & District Fives and Threes League’s annual presentation evening at Glaxo Sports and Social Club on Friday night saw Brian Peart’s Royal Oak outfit add the Dennis Sowerby Properties A Division crown to the second division title they won last year - creating a unique double for the Butterknowle team. “They got promoted four years ago to the first division,” said secretary Frank Watson, “and promptly got relegated. But they didn’t go away and hide, they came up again and the year after that they won the league. You can’t beat that for consistency.” But Frank also paid tribute to “the best runners-up in England.” “When you’ve got winners in a league you have also got runners- up, and we have in our league, the best runners-up in England, and other places as well!” He was referring to DLI, “the Infantrymen, ladies and gentlemen,” who were also warmly received as they were handed their trophies. Glaxo B won the Robert Oliver Sports B Division. “Now unfortunately, all but one couldn’t be bothered to turn up,” said Frank Watson, tongue in cheek. “Make of that what you will, but a big round of applause for him.” Steve Redfearn accepted the award on behalf of his team mates who were on their annual pilgrimage to Blackpool apparently. Runners-up were Montalbo B who came on very strongly in the second half of the season. The award was accepted by team members David Howson and Michael Bell. DLI made up for their disappointment of not winning the main award by picking up the KO trophy. Runners-up were Whorlton’s Bridge Inn, “a little team from a little village and a little club who have been league, members for a lot of years and have always managed to keep going.

“I’m really, really pleased that they’ve won it,” said Frank Watson. Captain Ian Robertson received the award on behalf of his team. Paying tribute to the quality of women players in the league, Frank Watson said: “I don’t know why other leagues don’t have the quality we have. We are proud of the women in our league, and we have some very good players.” The ladies pairs were won by Dorothy Heavisides and Margaret Powell of Barnard Castle WMC. Runners-up were the Glaxo duo of Liz Hope and Julie Charlton. In the gents’ pairs Howard Davidson and Peter Hooper of the Old Well beat Edge Hotel (Woodland) duo of Mervyn Teasdale and Stan Stobart. The Captains’ KO was a Woodland/Butterknowle derby clash between Billy Stephenson (The Edge) and Royal Oak’s Brian Peart, with Billy coming out on top. Superb hospitality and an uncanny Cher/Meatloaf look and sound alike cabaret duo complemented an excellent evening. Teesdale Mercury editor George Nicholson helped present the prizes. Final league placings Dennis Sowerby Properties “A” Division: Royal Oak 155, DLI Social Club 149, Royal Star 148, White Swan 138, Red Lion 138, Cricketers Arms “B” 138, Beaconsfield 137, Edge Hotel 136, Montalbo Hotel 135, Old Well 134, Cricket Club 134, Middleton WMC 133, Glaxo Sports & Social 129, Bd. Castle WMC 126, Cricketers Arms “A” 125, George & Dragon 106. Robert Oliver Sports “B” Division: Glaxo Sports & Social “B” 155, Montalbo Hotel “B” 150, Red Lion Darts 145, High Force Hotel 144, Blue Bell 140, Cricket Club “B” 140, Red Well 140, Wheatsheaf 139, Bowes WMC 136, Three Horse Shoes 136, Middleton WMC “B” 134, Blacksmiths Arms 130, Rose & Crown 128, Coach & Horses 118, Black Horse 107, Bridge Inn 106.

GENTS’ pairs runners up Mervyn Teasdale and Stan Stobart.

CAPTAINS’ KO winner Billy Stephenson.

CAPTAINS’ KO Brian Peart. runner-up

HOWARD Davidson who won the gents’ pairs with Peter Hooper