West Midlands went into their final game of the season in the L-Style Division One of the UKDA National League, second in the table knowing a win at Leicestershire would almost certainly guarantee them promotion.
Although Hannah Davies gave them the perfect start when she opened up the ladies ‘B’ game with a 3-1 win over Lisa Deslandes to earn herself the match award for her 16.70 average, the only other winner for the Midlanders was last on Jodie Rowlands to see the ladies ‘B’ lose 4-2.
The men’s ‘B’ lost the opening game but with wins from Ash Khayat, Rob Thompson, Dean Simmons-Fullwood, Shane Price and Cameron Baird were 5-1 up at the halfway stage. Martin Price made it 6-1 before man of the match Will Beaden with his 27.08 average, won the ninth game against Paul Hughes, to ensure a 7-5 victory.
Sunday was a better day for the ladies as the ‘A’ team went on to chalk up a 4-2 win. After losing the opener Kat McLean levelled the game and was followed by a further win from Jacqueline Trott before Evonne Taylor made it 3-1 with her 3-0 win over Paula Swain, Evonne’s 20.59 average earning her the match award. The winning game didn’t come until the final encounter when Jacqueline Maiden defeated Kelly Welsh 3-0 to give her team mates a 4-2 victory.
West Midlands won four of the six games in the first half of the men’s ‘A’ match, the winners being Richard Platt, Jon Platt, Jack Aldridge and Gavin Baker. They then had a repeat performance in the second half adding another four wins from Callum Parkes, Ryan O’Connor, Dan Nicholls and Paul Price with Dan Nicholls taking the man of the match award for his 4-1 win over Paul Harbourne and 31.11 average.
The overall 21-15 win for the West Midlands saw them finish as runners-up in the division with 222 points, eight fewer than champions Middlesex but enough to earn them promotion to the Championship Division, where they will play next season. Well done to all involved in the West Midlands, players and officials.
Full Results: Leicestershire 15 West Midlands 21
Leicestershire MA 4-8 West Midlands MA: Men’s ‘A’:- Paul Ablett (24.60) 2-4 (27.49) Richard Platt, Ricky Sudale (24.43) 2-4 (25.50) Jon Platt, Thomas Mackay (25.20) 4-1 (20.87) Glen McGrandle, Martin Giddings (26.68) 1-4 (30.14) Jack Aldridge, Ryan Hawkes (27.63) 4-1 (24.63) Dean Simmons-Fullwood, Scott Hope (23.34) 3-4 (23.13) Gavin Baker, Matthew Dickinson (26.43) 3-4 (27.69) Callum Parkes, Andrew Hibbert (28.63) 4-0 (22.09) Karl Hughes, Darren Tyler (22.73) 0-4 (25.37) Ryan O’Connor, Paul Harbourne (24.58) 1-4 (31.11) Dan Nicholls, Adam Marziano (21.93) 2-4 (24.10) Paul Price, Jason Lole (26.37) 4-0 (25.58) Ian Jones.
Leicestershire MB 5-7 West Midlands MB: Men’s ‘B’:- Janek Hill (23.03) 4-0 (21.40) Mark Craddock, Nigel Ward (24.21) 3-4 (26.52) Ash Khayat, Ian Turner (25.93) 3-4 (25.67) Rob Thompson, Derek Allsopp (25.19) 0-4 (26.72) Dean Simmons-Fullwood, Tyler Beasley (24.02) 1-4 (26.83) Shane Price, Scott Brookes (24.68) 3-4 (24.50) Cameron Baird, Jamie Brown (21.92) 1-4 (24.49) Martin Price, David Barker (22.64) 4-3 (22.67) Ian Stanton, Paul Hughes (22.63) 0-4 (27.08) Will Beaden, Neil Pullen (22.56) 4-2 (19.47) Neil Pointon, Michael Hibbert (25.48) 4-2 (24.25) Karl Hughes, Grant Brown (25.60) 4-2 (22.36) Kieran O’Mahoney.
Leicestershire WA 2-4 West Midlands WA: Women’s ‘A’:- Mem Martin-Jones (16.54) 3-1 (15.78) Tara Simmons-Fullwood, Rebecca Collins (14.81) 0-3 (18.33) Kat McLean, Liz Brunt (16.71) 1-3 (16.32) Jacqueline Trott, Paula Swain (18.25) 0-3 (20.59) Evonne Taylor, Shannon Reeve (15.82) 3-0 (14.65) Shellbie Simmons, Kelly Welsh (14.93) 0-3 (15.18) Jacqueline Maiden.
Leicestershire WB 4-2 West Midlands WB:Women’s ‘B’:- Lisa Deslandes (17.34) 1-3 (16.70) Hannah Davies, Caroline Newberry (14.81) 3-1 (13.32) Claire Hobbs, Trish Roberts (13.79) 3-0 (12.81) Julie Emery, Angela Lenton (14.74) 3-0 (13.95) Tara Simmons-Fullwood, Ella Coburn (15.17) 3-1 (13.30) Jacqueline Simmons, Kirsty White (14.85) 2-3 (16.01) Jodie Rowlands.
—–ENDS—–
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