Final Report for 2025-2026 season from Dan Evans
12th April 2026
Wednesday was a busy evening with the semifinals and final of the handicap cup, the pairs competition and the presentation of awards. The draw for the semi-final paired Casablanca with East Street Band and Fishermen’s Rest against MPs. ESB had a seven point start in their match with Casablanca. They led throughout and it was 32 to 18 in their favour at halftime. Casablanca rallied in the second half taking three of the four rounds and drawing the other one. The final score was 52 to 47 to East Street Band. For Casablanca David Dutton led the scoring with a fine 16, with Bill Thomas scored a very good 15 and Neil Williams scored a good 14. Geoff Hedley and David Nickeas both scored 13 for ESB and Alan Wright scored 12. There were 32 2 pointers and 2 unanswered questions. In the other semi-final MPs had a five point start against Fishermen’s Rest and they led from the start. It was 32 to 18 at the halfway stage. Fishermen’s Rest won all the rounds in the second half and they trailed by just two points going into the final round which they won by 5 to 4, but this was not quite enough to prevent MPs from winning 49 to 48. Harry Owen led the scoring for Fishermen’s Rest with a very good 15. He was supported by Alan Ascot who got a good 14. John Clarke was on 10. Ann Evans was top scorer for MPs with an impressive 18. Chris Hodgen scored 13. There were 34 2 pointers and 6 unanswered questions in this contest. In the final MPs had just a one point start against East Street Band and they led for six rounds 34 to 3. East Street Band took round 7 by 7 points to 3, meaning they were one point ahead going into the final round. This was won by MPs 7 to 4. ESB had two unanswered questions in this last round and when Chris Hodgen answered the final question for two points it gave MPs a victory of 44 to 42. For MPs Chris Hodgen was the top scorer with a fine 16. He was supported by Rick Catton on 10. For ESB Alan Wright and Geoff Hedley both scored 13. Dave Nickeas scored 11. There were 34 2 pointers, and 6 unanswered questions in this match.
The pairs competition was closely contested. The eventual winners were Neil Williams of Casablanca and Nick Philpott of Exams. The runners up were Jack Gardner of Grapes of Wrath and Chris Hodgen of MPs.
Thanks go to Dag for all his hard work in organising this evening and for setting the questions for the pairs competition. The raffle raised £151 which is going to Queenscourt Hospice in memory of Dave Wright.
This is my final report for this season. Enjoy the enjoy the summer break. I’ll be back in September.