WPA v BIG League 2018
The WPA v BIG Annual Challenge Cup 2018 was hosted by Monkstone PC on Sunday 19thAugust. This was the 6th running of the event with the WPA leading 4 wins to 1 and the WPA bidding to make it 3 wins in a row, was it time for the cup to change hands. The weather was favourable and apart from some slight rain at times stayed mainly dry for the day and given that the event had already been cancelled at an earlier date due to bad weather anything reasonable was most welcomed.
The BIG was represented by players from: Caerleon PC, Machen PC, Pilcs PC, Dormouse PC, Wheatsheaf PC, Rising Sun PC, R.O.F PC, Talywain PC and two German visitors.
The WPA was represented by players from: Penarth PC, Monkstone PC, Pontyclun PC, Creigiau PC, and Maesteg PC.
Round 1. The BIG came out fighting in the 1st round taking 7 of the 12 games played and with a 34 points difference a positive start
Round 2. Saw the WPA make a determined effort with some close games taking place but could only manage 5 wins points difference 45. Unfortunately the first Fanny of the day was for the WPA by the BIGs German Visitors Karin and Harold. Second round score BIG 14 – WPA 10 was a pattern starting to emerge
Round 3. Again saw the BIG come out determined and again although there were several close games they took 8 out of the 12 games on offer. Karin and Harold gave out their 2nd fanny and were certainly having an impact on the match. Score BIG 22 – WPA 14
Time for lunch and an opportunity for the teams to consider their positions.
Lunch over, WPA trailing by 6 games but still plenty of points to play for this was a crucial round for both teams and the match could be decided on this round.
Round 4. The BIG could feel that victory could be theirs and produced another decisive round taking 9 games out of the 12 increasing their lead to 31 wins to 17
Round 5. 14 points adrift with only 24 points left to play for gave the WPA a hill to climb but they were up for the task and although they did not cut the deficit they took 6 games out of the 12 their best round yet, but made the result inevitable at this stage. Also this could not prevent BIGs Karin and Harold taking their 3rd fanny of the day but not to be out done the WPA team of Marie Jones and Trudie Merry also gave the first fanny for the WPA
Round 6. With the result safely in the bag for the BIG it was for the WPA to make a final rally in the last round and although a valiant effort was made they took 5 games out of the 12 making the final score. BIG 44 wins – WPA 28 wins
A convincing and well deserved win for the BIG
Top Team for WPA Derek and Gareth form Pontyclun PC.
Top Team for BIG Karin and Harold (our visitors from Germany).
Well done to both pairs.
To sum up, the matches were all played in good spirit with a lot of close games which could have gone either way. Congratulations to the BIG and I am sure next year’s event will be as hotly contested as this years with the WPA looking to regain the cup.
Thank you to all players that participated and a special thanks to Monkstone PC and their members for hosting the event with great hospitality as always.