Warrington juniors have secured the Lancashire and Cheshire title for 2016 ,finishing above Southport who pipped us last year to the top spot. After the first weekend of matches, Warrington topped the table following some inspired play from Amy Hutchings, Daniel Clarke and Keir North and this put the team in a strong position at the halfway stage, however bad news was to come! There was a fixture clash with the British Senior League for the next round which meant Amy and Daniel would be unavailable and our first team was down to one player, Keir.  

The Sunday fixture could not have fallen on a worse weekend with our junior squad already in action the previous day. A full Saturday at Halton playing National Junior League took it's toll resulting in some very tired players. Only Michael Lennon answered the call to play reserve and represent the club with first team regular Keir North who had also played all day at Halton.

Sunday 17th January dawned and we couldn't believe that not only were we a team of 2 players but it had snowed heavily and we had to dig out from Lowton before we could make the trip in the snow to Blakeley to battle for the title with last seasons defending champions, Southport.

Our chances seemed to have gone as Southport turned up with two teams and their first team clearly determined to retain their title.

First match up saw our 2 lads play Southport's second team. We are already 2-0 down as we have to concede 2 games, due to being a player short. Keir and Michael played brilliantly and win the remaining 4 games to win the match 4-2 setting up a head to head clash with Southport's first team to decide the title. As Southport dropped points in previous matches, we only need a draw to become champions, however, with a  2-0 start due to our missing player, Southport have a big advantage and all of their squad are confident that the title is going back to Southport.

First match on, Michael plays their number 1, Stefan (form guide, both have beaten each other previously) and the match is finely balanced until disaster struck! Michael injures his arm whilst going for a forehand loop, resulting in a nasty cut on his forearm from the corner of the table. With his arm dripping with blood it looks like a scene from an action movie rather than a game of table tennis. However, after taking a time out to have some first aid, Michael returns Rambo style to tell Head Coach George he is OK to continue. Arm bloody and painful, Michael loses the game but wins a lot of admirers for a truly determined performance. Match score, Southport lead 3-0. Southport need one more win to become Champions. Keir then steps up and beats their number two to make the score 1-3. A team talk and a further check on Michael's throbbing arm and the boys know what is required. Only 2 wins will do to secure the title. Michael loses the first game against their number 3 and the Southport squad are already starting to celebrate getting very excited and much more vocal as they see the match swinging their way. However, Michael is far from finished and wins the next game to level the match. Are the Southport team rueing their premature celebrations? Michael wins the next 2 games with some fantastic play and a gutsy performance

Two great teams battle out the title and the final match goes righ to the wire with both number one's up for the challenge. Keir was awesome, and with grit and determination he silenced the Southport squad and came out victorious with a magnificent win to finish the day unbeaten.  Against all odds, and with just 2 players on the final day, Keir had secured the title.

It is 35 years since Warrington Juniors last won the Lancashire and Cheshire League. Titles don't come easy and it takes a lot of dedication from players and support from their parents to win the title.

Congratulations to the Champions - Keir North, Michael Lennon, Daniel Clarke and Amy Hutchings.

Keir North and Michael Lennon on the last day at Blakeley.

  

Keir North                                                                                  Michael Lennon       

Daniel  Clarke                                                                             Amy Hutchings