...who, at 10.45 p.m., were left to fight out for honours after their four-match haul to the final. Crookham eventually coming out on top 2-1 in a keenly-contested match. In the opening Group A match Real Ridgeway met a determined Div. 1 Goals Aloud, who up until Wednesday, had always struggled to get past the group stages in the Open Trophy but ended this contest 5-2 winners to make an early mark of intent. They eventually reached the semi-finals, going through with new boys Sigma from Group A. It shows what can happen on the night as Div. 1 hopefuls, Indoor Milan never really got going on the night and in their first match soon found themselves an incredible 5-0 down to Sigma, eventually losing 5-2.

In Group B, 80s All Stars only lost one game. But as they only drew the other two of their games failed to make the semi-finals. In one of their drawn games, there was no less than eight goals as they shared the spoils with other hopefuls, Real Madras in an exciting contest. On the night the Madras boys just couldn’t stop the goals going in. In their three matches they conceded no less than 14 goals. This is an area Manager Ian Colley will certainly have to address before they start their new campaign next week. Back in Group A, as a dress rehearsal for the final, although they didn’t know it at the time, Crookham Five certainly made their intent clear as they beat eventual runners-up Darkside 5-2. Although missing two of their regular players, this had little effect on their performance throughout the night. They won four of their five games, drawing just the one against 80s All Stars in the group stage. In the semi-finals they beat Division 1’s Goals Aloud 3-1, while Darkside saw off a weary Sigma 5-1. This looked a game too many for Sigma who can be proud of their first outing in this competition.

The final could have gone either way but in the end it was the fitness and commitment of The Crooks who saw them home. Well done to all the teams who again played the matches with full of desire and commitment without turning into any “loose canons”. Roll on the new league!!!!!