FIVES & THREES: 16th May 2001

BARNARD CASTLE & DISTRICT FIVES & THREES LEAGUE THERE was a full house at Barnard Castle Cricket Club on Thursday, May 10 when the knockout finals took place amid an excellent atmosphere. The team knockout was an intriguing affair throwing together “A” Division’s perpetual bridesmaids DLI Social Club and Whorlton’s league representatives B ridge Inn, as ever captained by the stalwart Ian Robertson. Although high-flying DLI were odds-on favourites to claim the silverware, Ian and his partner B Davis battled their way to a narrow victory. However, their commendable effort proved to be too little, too late as the Infantrymen swept to a convincing 7-2 triumph to add the knockout trophy to the “A” division runners-up cup, a trophy which, it would appear, they have laid permanent rights to over the years. The captains’ knockout had the extra spice of being a local derby when the Butterknowle stalwart Brian Peart, representing the Royal Oak was pitted, eyeball to eyeball, with Billy Stephenson, the popular Edge Hotel supremo from the Woodland hostelry. Billy faced a daunting task against many times competition winner Brian, but quite undaunted, he set about the task which proved to be a long and arduous one. However, as the evening edged towards the close, it was Billy who emerged a clear winner against a worthy and sporting opponent. Meanwhile, across the arena, Mervyn Teasdale and Stan Stobart were attempting to sink the Well by adding the Gents’ pairs cup to the Edge’s trophy cabinet. However, their Old Well combination of Howard Davidson and Peter Hooper proved to be a formidable obstacle with ambitions of their own. When the dust finally settled, it was Old Well who took the honours with a smart 2-0 victory, but Stan and Mervyn appeared happy nevertheless, to take the runners-up trophy back to Woodland. The Ladies pairs shoot-out pitted the might of Glaxo, in the form of Julie Charlton and Liz Hope against the ambitions of Barnard Castle WMC, represented by Dorothy Heavisides and Margaret Powell. Despite the heroic efforts of the factory girls, it was the steadfast WMC representatives who clinched the ladies’ title, unfortunately Dorothy’s husband Joe didn’t witness the ladies’ triumph, as he felt his nerves would not stand up to the strain. However, he may well be tempted to imbibe to the ladies’ success at the Social and Presentation evening at the Glaxo Sports & Social Club on Friday, May 25, for which ticket orders are now being accepted. In closing, 1 must add that this report would not be complete without due credit being given to the excellent efforts of the bar staff, whose cheerful and helpful attitude contributed greatly to a pleasant and successful evening.

BARNARD CASTLE & DISTRICT FIVES & THREES LEAGUE

Dennis Sowerby Properties A Division pts 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 Week’s highest score — White Swan, Royal Oak 7.

Robert Oliver Sports B Division

Glaxo Sports & Social B 155 Montalbo Hotel 150 Red Lion Darts 145 Red Well 144 Wheatsheaf 140 Cricket Club B 140 Blue Bell 140 High Force Hotel 139 Bowes WMC 136 Middleton WMC B 136 Rose & Crown 134 Three Horse Shoes 130 Blacksmith’s Arms 128 Coach & Horses 118 Black Horse 107 Bridge Inn 106 Week’s highest score — High Force