Northumbria were unable to capitalise on the fact that Merseyside had brought only 4 players. Barney Wareing was the only player to notch up a victory at 4th string, with the top 3 strings losing to the stronger Merseyside players without taking a game between them. Match was therefore lost 3-2, but 6 valuable points were gained.
Merseyside then went on the trounce Nottinghamshire 4-1, with Nottinghamshire’s only points coming from the walkover at 5th string.
Northumbria then took a very positive attitude into the final match against Nottinghamshire, with only pride to play for, as Merseyside were already group winners with 2 victories. Mark Dinsley played well to take first points at 3rd string, with a 3-0 victory. Meanwhile Barney Wareing had fought back from 2-0 down to level at 2-2 before narrowly losing the 9/11 in the fifth, but picking up 2 valuable points at 4th string. Richard Ridgway, called into the team at the last minute, showed determination and concentration to win 3-0 at 5th string, whilst Harry Carr at no 1 was unable to contain his stronger opponent. This left Elliott Park to play the decider at 2nd string and he proved himself to be up to the challenge, with a 3-1 victory. Match result, a 3-2 victory to Northumbria.
This placed Northumbria in 2nd place behind Merseyside in the overall standings.
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