Bolton League by Angela Kelly
A TEAM denied promotion by a single game have found consolation by winning the Jane Fletcher Memorial Cup final in the Bolton Badminton League.
Hawkshaw C won their last B Section match of the season 15-3, but neck-and-neck rivals Markland Hill won theirs 16-2 to snatch the runners-up spot and ensure A Section play next season.
When Hawkshaw faced runaway B Section title winners Forrest B in the cup final, however, they made no mistake about the scoreline - and finished firm winners.
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The opening game was an indication of the tough battle ahead.
Forrest top couple Kath Orrell and John Pilkington won the first game 23-21 and the second 21-19 against Hawkshaw second couple Linda Eccleston and Matt Dunlop, who went on to have a similar tussle with the Forrest second pair.
And on-form Hawkshaw top couple Jean Egan and Neil Haydock took their opening games to 18 and 19 before winning both their second set to 14.
Scores were tight throughout, with the best results coming from Hawkshaw's top men, Neil Haydock and Craig Eccleston, who won to 14 and 10.
At the end of the match, the handicap envelope revealed +70 for Hawkshaw - but they didn't need it and won 423-317 from an exciting final.
Smithills A have pulled out all the stops to earn themselves promotion to C Section as runners-up behind Oakgate, and were obviously hoping for double honours when they faced Moorside D in the Robert Cup final.
Moorside finish the season just squeezed out of the promotion area in E Section and were seeking consolation in the cup.
Smithills' second couple Lesley Heyes and Barry Hilton got their side's scoring underway with wins to 21 and 10.
The second set's points were shared but Smithills' Linda Hawker and Clive Bass gave them a further boost with wins in the third mixed set to 10 and 9.
Moorside, however, kept up the scoring rate, refusing to let any game drop below double figures and pushing the first top ladies' game to setting 20-22 through Lillian Croston and Fiona Parr.
This persistent scoring paid off, and when the handicap gave them +135 it took Moorside beyond Smithills' score 308-372 and won the silverware.
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