Don’t forget tomorrow night is Finals night to be held at Abingdon united and, weather permitting, all finals will be held outside. The evening will feature 6 Finals and whilst both Abingdon United and Plum Pudding dominate the line- up both Abingdon Conservative Club and Geoff Lee from Berinsfield will have some say in the outcomes with Abingdon Con Club facing Abingdon United B in the final of the 8’s and Geoff Lee playing Terry Downes in the Captain’s final.

The other finals of the 5’s, the 4’s and the 3’s and the Secretaries will be won by either sides or individuals from either Abingdon United B or Plum Pudding which is consistent with their domination of the Premier section with these sides finishing as the 2022 winners and runners up respectively.

One thing is certain, we are sure to be entertained with some good Aunt Sally, and no doubt some excellent individual performances. so come along and support all of our finalists as we wrap up the final outdoor event of the Summer 2022 season. We will start with the 8’s at 7.30pm prompt.

The semi- finals and finals of both the pairs and the singles competitions will, as always, be played indoors on Presentation Night which will take place on Friday November 4th at Abingdon United where we hope to see many of you particularly those of you who are deserved Trophy winners or runners up.,

Let’s start with an update on the 8’s semi=final between Berinsfield A,  fresh from topping the A section, and Abingdon Con Club from Section C. The game was played at Berinsfield and even with a 4 doll handicap in favour of the visitors  the home side looked favourites on paper, particularly as their final league game of the season, had seen them defeat Premier section runners up Plum Pudding 6-0.

The old adage “never take anything for granted” certainly proved true last night as Abingdon Con Club confounded most expectations (probably even their own) by defeating the home side 2 legs to nil to earn themselves a final place against Abingdon United B next Wednesday when as a Section C side they will benefit for a 6 doll handicap against the Premier Dsection champions. The final will take place at Abingdon United with a 7.30 start. 

Also last night 29 players competed for the Founders & Legends Trophy open to for registered players aged 50+ at Steventon Sports.

It was a great turnout on a chilly night and with an 8pm start. 26 games later and with quite a few legs going to 3 and 1 stick shoot outs we had more than a few surprises and deservedly both Nick Baldwin and Derek Fletcher competed for the title of the re-named and new trophy.  Nick’s excellent form unfortunately deserted him, a little in the final and the ever consistent on the night “Fletch” finally took the 2022 title on what was a long, but enjoyable night with a really good turnout. 

Thanks to all who took part and for taking their share of sticking up and calling and special  thanks to Steventon Sports for hosting a tournament which is really all about remembering and honouring both the Founders of our Association back in 1960 and the many legends of Aunt Sally past and present who have played the game over the years.

Their names and the many stories that they created are still revered and talked about fondly from those who knew and played with them. We should be grateful for their contribution which, in some cases, several of our most senior, senior players are still giving!

Big apology to Paul Barrett from Abingdon United who, for a few hours today, inadvertently became Paul Townsend. my senior moment, sorry Paul and congratulations on reaching the semi-finals of the singles competition.

FOUNDERS & LEGENDS SINGLES COMPETITION WILL TAKE PLACE AT STEVENTON SPORTS CLUB THIS WEDNESDAY 14th SEPTEMBER

OPEN TO ALL REGISTERED PLAYERS AGED at least 50! (That’s most of us!)

NO ENTRY FEE

JUST TURN UP ON THE NIGHT AND REGISTER BY 7.30pm

DRAW WILL TAKE PLACE ON THE NIGHT AND GAMES WILL COMMENCE AT 8pm

COME ALONG AND HAVE WHAT WILL BE A FINAL THROW OF THE SUMMER SEASON FOR MOST OF US. YOU WILL BE PLAYING FOR A MAGNIFICENT NEW AND RE-NAMED TROPHY KINDLY DONATED BY OUR CHAIRMAN, REG COUCH.

THIS TOURNAMENT IS IN RECOGNITION AND TRIBUTE OF THE FOUNDERS & MANY FORMER PLAYERS OF OUR GAME OVER THE PAST 62 YEARS MANY OF WHOM ARE NO LONGER WITH US BUT WHOSE CONTRIBUTION OVER MANY YEARS HAS BEEN SIGNIFICANT AND WHY OUR GAME IS STILL GOING STRONG. 

Singles Competitions – Final Groups will be played — Thursday 8th September 2022

• 2 venues will be used to hold singles competition – Steventon Sports & Social Club  & Abingdon Conservative Club – both venues confirmed.
  The draw was made of players registered on 21st. First 16 to play at Steventon Sports, second 16 to play at Con Club, Abingdon.
• Registration from 8pm – 8.10pm on the night.
• First game to commence at 8.15pm
• Summer rules will apply

VENUE ONE – Steventon Sports Club – played to last two players

1 Mark Johnson
2 Andy Phelps

3 Anton Wooloff
4 Bye

5 Steve Enock
6 Phil Adams

7 Dave Sapey
8 Stuart Wilson

9 Dave Butler
10 Bye

11 Bye
12 Keith Buckle

13 Dave Davies
14 Terry Downes

15 Bye
16 Ian Brook

VENUE TWO – Abingdon Conservative Club – played to last two players

17 Nick Baldwin
18 Mick Greenaway

19 Barry Parker
20 Paul Longford

21 Alec Chamberlain
22 Leigh Clapton

23 Tom Baldwin
24 Ken Fisher

25 Bye
26 Bob Duff

27 Scott Humphries
28 Barry Townsend

29 Paul Barrett
30 Bye

31 Geoff Lee
32 Bye

After a lovely DRY Sunday afternoon at Abingdon Utd FC starting at 1.30pm we managed to succeed in playing all the competition fixtures except the singles. We finished at 7.30pm and by that time most players were flagging. If it wasn’t for Committee member Roy Taylor’s wife Pauline, who very kindly donated refreshments in the form of sandwiches etc which we had around 5pm, I don’t think we would have lasted that long! However the bar was open the sun was shining and everyone was in good spirits for some great Aunt Sally.

As expected there were some were hard fought matches going 3-1-6 sticks when drawn after 3 legs, some not so much! Having two pitches meant that Abingdon Utd weren’t always at a home pitch advantage and thanks to Claire Foster and Roy Taylor for sorting the draws on the day we tried to keep both pitches busy. I tried to be the MC for the occasion and was glad Reg Couch brought the speaker and microphone!  I’d also like to thank both the ladies behind the bar, Brian Clapton (for dolls and pitch prep) and for those who volunteered (or otherwise) to ensure that matches were stuck up/called and scored.

There were several learning points the committee are reviewing so it can be improved if repeated next year. It’s been estimated that to run the remaining singles would have probably taken another 1.5 hours so these games will be rescheduled at independent venues to be decided by the committee meeting this week.

As this was the first ‘one day event’ for the competitions I think it went very well (and I’m not on the committee!) so if you were there and want to login and leave a comment on this post or email team support with some feedback it’ll all be welcome I’m sure.

As for the results below they speak for themselves with the two top Premier sides managing to fight it to the final for 5’s,4’s, 3’s, Pairs and Secretary’s! Well done for Bernisfield and Croft Nomads for hanging in on the Captains and Pairs.

Finals Night is Wednesday 21st September and Presentation Night is Friday 4th November.
NOTE: once a player has played they cannot be substituted so they must be available for the final game night.

SINGLES NOTE: only those players who registered and turned up on the Sunday will be in the Singles
as the fixture has already been drawn and venues/players will be announced in due course.

NEXT COMPETITION:-

LOOK OUT FOR THE FOUNDERS & LEGENDS COMPETITION DETAILS 
Free to enter for all players over 50 – turn up and play on 14th September

COMPETITIONS

This Sunday 21st August we will be playing the rest of the competitions

at Abingdon United FC

Practice will be from 1 to 1.30pm 
and the first competition will start at 1.30.

Playing order
5’s 4’s 3’s Secretary’s, Captain’s, Pairs and Singles

If you want to play and haven’t already registered then you need to be
at the venue before 12.30 when the draws will take place by the Committee.
NOTE: once a player has played they cannot be substituted so they must be available for the final game night.
League registered players only.

We will be using both pitches at Ab.Utd.

BAR will be OPEN!

Finals Night is Wednesday 21st September and Presentation Night is Friday 4th November.
NOTE: once a player has played they cannot be substituted so they must be available for the final game night.

To make this run smoothly the losing team will provide 2 players to call/stick up for the next match or for 1 player matches the last 2 players.

Matches will be best of 3 legs and 3 stick decider if drawn until won.