In the first round of the Bournemouth & District’s annual Times & Directory Handicap Cup competition, the New Milton D team (Helen Hosie, James Harper and Eddie Tompkins) were drawn against fellow Div 3 side Sharkstone A from Parkstone.

Sharkstone are sitting pretty at the top of Div 3 in the league competition, whereas Milton are 18 points below them in fourth place.  Milton lost 2-8 at Parkstone in their recent league encounter so were hoping for some favourable handicapping in the Times & Directory.

First up, Captain Helen Hosie received a +4 start against Tony Sanderson, and won the first end 21-17.  That proved to be a false dawn however as Hosie lost the next two ends 19-21 and 16-21.  Next up, 20-year-old James Harper benefited from a +3 start against Andy Fox but lost the first end 17-21.  However, Harper upped his game to win the next two ends to level things off at 1-1.

Eddie Tompkins received a +4 start against Chris Leggat and narrowly lost the first end 20-21.  Tompkins still trying to shrug off the effects of a broken collar bone, lost his way a bit in the second end which he lost 13-21.  Harper benefited from a +6 start against Sanderson which he used to very good effect to win 21-19, 21-10 to restore parity at 2-2.

Captain Hosie had to give a +3 start to Leggat and never really got into her stride, going down 9-21 and 12-21 which gave the advantage back to Sharkstone.  Then up steps wily campaigner Tompkins to receive a +6 start against Fox, whom he saw off in two straight ends 21-14, 21-18, which made it 3-3.

Young Harper was really up for his hat-trick, and got off to a roaring start by beating Leggat 21-14 having given him a +1 start.  Harper narrowly lost the second end 19-21 but took the final end very comfortably to give New Milton the advantage at 4-3.  One more win would give Milton the match.

Tompkins received a +9 start against Sanderson and won the first end 21-14, only to lose the second 18-21.  By then Tompkins had the Sharkstonian worked out and dismissed Sanderson 21-4 to take Milton into the second round of the Cup.

There was nothing on the final match but Captain Hosie had a point to prove, having had a “slightly dodgy night” by her own admission.  Starting off “scratch”, Hosie blew Andy Fox away 21-10, 21-13 for New Milton to win overall by 6-3.

Six other Milton teams played in Round 1, and four of them (B, C, E & H teams) won through to join the D team in Round 2, which is to be played week commencing 23^rd January 2023.