Blackburn 1 played at Southport tonight in a fixture that would decide the league winners.

I am very proud to say that Blackburn won a hard fought and tense match 8 – 7 and therefore clinched the inter league second division title.

It was always going to be a difficult tie and it was made more challenging by the unavailability of three regular players.

Blackburn came out 2 1 up after the singles but Southport hit back and their strong ladies pairings gave them a 4 3 lead. Blackburn’s men reversed this swing and earned the team a 6 5 lead prior to the 4 mixed.

The match couldn’t have been closer and in the end with the game balanced at 7 all Nick and Rachel Hodgson took the top mixed doubles to clinch the match and promotion.

A special thanks and a massive well done to all the players and supporters who have played and cheered the team on this season.

The challenge is now to stay in the top flight.

Nick Hodgson, Ashley Gibson, Abdul Malik, Syed Masood, Keith Ashton Nathan Whitehead and Sameer Kadiri
Rachael Hodgson, Rachael Coar, Julie Bates, Allison Leaver, Emily Cholmondeley, Rosie Southworth, Hayley Wilson

Supporters, Amanda and Arnie Gibson, Philip Rhodes Cheryl Parry