LRF Premiership - Spring Classic
March
6th 2004 - Ashton Institute Preston
Following on from the outstanding success of the LRF charity event in Knutsford last October, and the pleas of the players for another chance to pit their wits against each other, Mike Lewis took up the gauntlet and organised this event in his home town of Preston. The venue was Ashton Institute in Wellington Road run by Neil and Donna and boy did they do us proud. The Institute is a small but friendly place with a nice bar and excellent food, especially the pie and peas which went down a treat. Space was limited but allowed for around 10 tables and the customary computerised league table facility was also accommodated.
Starting off.....
All good things begin with
hard work!
Flick off was at 10.45 with around 20 players taking part with the event being run in the format of three mini leagues and a cup competition. The best two from each league then qualified for a champions league with the others forming three smaller groups, with trophies for all the eventual group winners. The cup was played throughout the day. Spirits were high and sportsmanship was foremost in everyone's mind. Considering the amount of games played not one cross word was heard all day.
Martin & Mike ...in
action!
Yet more action!
Taff and friend start the Cup
draw.
During the days play, Neil Lishman, a.k.a The Stefan Corda Company, demonstrated his new Raptor and Veloche bases. These complemented by Neils amazing ability with a paint brush only point to further success for Neil and his team in the very near future.
New bases courtesy of The
Stefan Corda Company
(Raptor middle and left, Veloche on the right)
One more of Lishman's army.....
Folk had travelled far and wide to be here today, such is the popularity of this type of event. The lads from the East Midlands Alliance took part, myself and fellow Scouser Ian, Ed from Worcester, Paul from Norwich, the locals (Craig, Mike), the Andrews family from Lancaster, Keith from Yorkshire, some strange lads from Cheshire and Greater Manchester plus many others not mentioned but certainly not forgotten. Longest travelled was tied for by Les (Sittingbourne in Kent) and Eoin (Bangor in Ireland), both had been on the road (or in the air) since about 5am!!
The cup competition was keenly contested all day with the eventual finalists being Mike Lewis and Trevor Arthur. The scores were tied at nil - nil after full time and extra time and so it went down to the lottery of a sudden death shoot out! Mike came through with arms raised having won by 4 - 3.
Cup Final Action
Shoot out concentration!
At the end of it all the trophies were awarded to the group and cup winners plus an overall Champion. The main awards went thus ..... Overall Champion - Trevor Arthur. Cup Winner - Mike Lewis.
Three of the
winners......(Pete, Stuart & Mike)
A big thank you to Mike and crew for a fine job in
organising this years Spring Classic, lets hope there is more to come
......roll on Knutsford in October!
contact - collecting.subbuteo@virgin.net Last updated - 06 March 2004