Wednesday, April 15th, saw the staging of the 2025/26 Division Three Winter Leagues Play Off Final.
Who would emerge as Champions – hosts Carterton or the ‘Phoenix from the Thame Ashes’ that is Wheatley Park?
Unfortunately, the visitors were understrength with the likes of England Masters star, Caroline Hazlewood, and further leading stalwarts, Alex Bozon and Ed Greening absent. Their replacements fought hard but were worn down by their more talented opponents.
The match up at Number One though did not disappoint with ‘Park’s’ James Portsmouth putting in a magnificent effort before succumbing narrowly in the decider to that wily old fox, Darren O’Sullivan.
Elsewhere, JP overcame the visiting skipper Ben Terry in three, the same margin of victory following in the remaining three ties.
Wheatley Park should not be too disappointed though. Seven months previously their home club Thame shut down leaving no public facility in the town for them to occupy.
Decamping to Wheatley and making good use of the local Sun Inn hostelry, they have returned to Division Two and a bright future beckons. We wish Ben and his teammates all the best.
Division Three Winter Champions 2025/26 – Carterton 2
L-R: Darren O’Sullivan, Mark Longbottom, Gavin Holt, Jon Pratt, Duncan Smith (Captain)
Runners up – Wheatley Park
L-R: James Portsmouth, Jonathan Pink, Ben Terry (Captain), Chris Godfrey and Jeremy Deeks.
Post match champions
L-R: Gavin Holt, Darren O’Sullivan, Duncan Smith (Captain), Jon Pratt, Absent – Mark Longbottom