IT WAS a fitting climax to the Darwen Hotels League season - four of the top half-dozen players in the league battling it out for the knockout championship. . . .

Except that Cemetery's dynamic duo of Gaz Hampson and Andy Maudsley buried youngsters Justin Astley and Ian Harle out of sight to clinch a double top for the league champions. It was a classic demolition job.

The Punch pair - who had fought out the individual final - threw in the towel on the yellow as the Cem won their third successive match on the doubles frame.

Cem raced to the league-and-cup three years ago but this time the double was a lot harder. "We didn't give an inch," said captain Harold Heys.

"It was a real team effort." But there was a special word for Hampson who had figured in all three doubles clinchers, twice with Maudsley and once with Jim Barnes. "I don't think there's ever been anyone in the league to touch him when the chips are down."

Dave Stephens shrugged off a disappointing season to win his frame after Harle had taken the opener and Hampson went on to give the Cem a 3-2 lead.

However, Maudsley let it slip against a determined Rob Rice and it went down to the last-frame doubles yet again!

Next season will get under way in October and the presentation night will be at the Cemetery at the end of November.

Converted for the new archive on 14 July 2000. Some images and formatting may have been lost in the conversion.