Atkins suffers double trouble in Spa finale

The Warwickshire League champions got off to an excellent start, trouncing Coventry Railway 7-0 in the preliminary round and, with Rugby beating Long Itchington by the same scoreline, it meant them clashing in the first round.

All seven games started at the same time and Rugby got their noses in front at 3-2 before Nigel Heydon levelled the match.

It was left to Dave Atkins and Rugby’s Luke Kennedy to battle it out in the last game and it was the Spa player who won the important fourth leg to put Leamington through to the next round.

Leamington then beat Four Oaks 5-2 in the last four to set up a final clash against a Hall Green side weakened by the loss of Kirk Shepherd.

Another closely fought tie saw the sides locked at 3-3 with Hall Green skipper Julian Harris holding a 2-1 lead over Dave Atkins.

Atkins chipped out the fourth leg to take the match to a final leg and built up a comfortable lead in the decider.

However, seven attempts at the winning double gifted Harris a shot at double 18 and he made no mistake to secure the cup for Hall Green.