Finals finely poised

30 April 2008

NELSON (11) have a slender 4-3 lead at the half way stage of their Stan Ward Cup final against Kenilworth Conservatives (0).
Nigel Croft (31) and Neal Stribbling (30) recorded notable breaks for Nelson, while Ian Wagstaff chalked up a 38 break for the Warwickshire Beer Premier Division champions who will have fancied their chances of overturning the deficit in the second leg at Kenilworth last night.
The Courier Cup final is finely balanced after Harbury 2nds (26) made the most of home advantage to record a 4-3 first leg success over Bishops Tachbrook (22). The return leg was last night (Thursday).
Finals Week begins on Monday with a few players looking to retain the titles they won in 2007.
In the Snooker Pairs Cup, Dean White and John Beesley (Cubbington) are looking to defend their title, as is Hardip Baines (Lillington) in the Pete Hiley Over 50s Cup.
The Birmingham Mail Cup (billiards) is a repeat of last year’s final, with Tony Marsh (Nelson) hoping to exact revenge on last year’s winner Geoff Barrett (Lillington Bowls).
The full schedule is as follows: Monday, May 5, Pete Hiley Over 50s Cup - Hardip Baines (Lillington) v Ted Mullis (Home Guard); Eric Briggs Under 35s Cup - Neal Stribbling (Nelson) v Sam Blundell (Harbury).
Tuesday, May 6, Camkin Cup - Jake Roberts (Nelson) v Nigel Croft (Nelson); Birmingham Mail Cup - Geoff Barrett (Lillington Bowls) v Tony Marsh (Nelson).
Wednesday, May 7, Three Man Challenge Cup - Lillington 1st (Damien Dowds, Dave McLoughlin, Andy Devey) v Kenilworth Cons 1st (Ian Wagstaff, Ben Deller, Craig Campbell).
Thursday, May 8, Kenilworth Billiards Trophy - Cliff Webb (Nelson) v Chris Hudson (Lillington Bowls); Pairs Cup - Tim Bull/Sam Blundell (Harbury) v Dean White/John Beesley (Cubbington).
Friday, May 9, EJ Riley Singles Cup - James Gillard (Nelson) v John Beesley (Cubbington).

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