Ormskirk Quiz League

Two Ormskirk teams played in round-robin groups. Newburgh Lions beat Soapsuds (Wirral) 53-30 in which Darren Martin scored an incredible 31 points including a full house answering all his own questions. They lost 30-41 to Kluggers (Liverpool) who qualify for the semi-finals due to a narrow loss in their other match.

Turks Head Sinners lost both matches, 22-39 to Oxton Cons (Wirral) and 40-51 to Ringers (Warrington). Peter Duffy scored 16 in the first match and 17 in the second match.

Thirty players and guests from eight teams gathered at Aughton Institute. Two handout quizzes were attempted as the draw for the twelve pairs was made.

After the answer sheets were marked the scores ranging from 27 to 38 out of 40 were announced. 

The six qualifying pairs for the semi-final were Darren Martin (Newburgh Lions) and Mike Critchley (Turks Head Saints), Andy McGowan (Colly Wobblers) and Rosemary Lyon (Newburgh Lions), Ian Barlow (Colly Wobblers) and Mike Flaherty (Helenians), Alan Thompson (Ormskirk Theatre Company) and Barbara Flaherty (Turks Head Saints), Charles Johnson (Turks Head Saints) and Peter Jones (Scarecrows), Eric Lupton (Rugby Hounds) and Magnus Brass (Scarecrows).

After spoken answers to 50 questions Charles and Peter, Ian and Mike, Eric and Magnus qualified for the final.

After 32 further questions congratulations to winners Eric Lupton (Rugby Hounds) and Magnus Brass (Scarecrows).

A raffle raised £51 for Age UK Lancashire. Players who have won many individual trophies allowed the League to donate the equivalent cost to charity.

Photos of Trophy winners are here.

Cup :- In the semi final Rugby Hounds overcame Colly Wobblers (who had a one point start) to win by two; Eric Lupton scoring 16 for the winners and Mike Unsworth 17 for the losers. In the final therefore Rugby Hounds faced Turks Head Saints who had a six point start. The Saints got away to great start, at one point leading by 17 but Rugby Hounds fought back in the last three rounds to only lose by 7 points; leading scorers were Charles Johnson and David Hodgson who both scored 20 for their respective sides.  Congratulations then Turks Head Saints on winning the Handicap Knockout and Division 2.

Plate:- In the Plate final Helenians had an eleven point start over Turks Head Sinners and managed to hold on to win by 4 points. Top scorers were Peter Duffy (18) for the Sinners and Alf  Westwell (16) for Helenians. Congratulations to Helenians on winning the Plate. 

Individual scores for the full season are available here.

Six Ormskirk players competed in the Merseyside heat of whom two reached the semi-final stage. John Wilson (Greyhound) won his match, by one point, so qualifies for the final in May. Charles Johnson (Turks Head Saints) was joint second in the same match, but lost out on a place in the final on a tie-break.

Division 1:- After an extremely tight end to the season in which any one of four teams could have finished top, Colly Wobblers are champions, taking advantage of Newburgh Lions’ defeat and themselves overcoming Greyhound; Mike Unsworth scored 19 for the winners and Mal Collier 16 for Greyhound.  Turks Head Sinners comfortably beat Newburgh Lions, with Bill Gerrard (17) and Peter Duffy (16) scoring well for the winners; as a result the Sinners finish runners up.  A truly outstanding 29 points and full house from Paul McAteer enabled Delph Tavern’s win over Rugby Hounds. 

Division 2:- Turks Head Saints are champions, so congratulations to them having remained unbeaten since Christmas. They overcame Helenians with all their players scoring in double figures led by Kevin Walton (15) and Clive Walton (12); Mike Flaherty scored 14 for Helenians. Hayfield Gang lifted themselves off bottom place with a win over Ormskirk Theatre Company; Billy Frank scored 13 for the winners and Alan Thompson 12 for the losers.

Turks Head Saints won the Handicap League by one point from Colly Wobblers.