ON CUE: The Fox and Hounds team who took part in the Champions of Champions final. The competition is spread over four divisions with the league winners taking part in an end of season knockout contest. The Fox and Hounds A team was captained by Eddie O'Riley while Tony Newton skippered the B team
THE first ever Champions of Champions clash between two teams from the one pub ended with the A' team being out-Foxed by the B' side.
The all-Fox and Hounds clash meant that the Thwaites Pool League title would be going to the Blackburn pub and it was the B' side who ended up with the bragging rights.
It is the latest in a long list of indoor sport glory for the Ewood drinking establishment but the first time they underlined their dominance in the sport in such emphatic fashion.
Landlord Derek Haworth revealed it was the second time the two teams had met in a champions of champions showdown - but this was the first since the league has been restructured.
"We used to play in a mini league format and we met in the final a few years ago," said Derek who has been landlord for the last 15 years. "But since it went to a straight knockout, this is the first time two teams from the one pub have met in the Champions of Champions."
While Derek is obviously delighted to see more silverware at his pub, the former Lancashire and Blackburn player was a part of the A' team that lost 10-8 on aggregate.
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The B' lead 5-4 after the first leg but the A' team stormed back in the second leg to win the opening four matches before their pub rivals took the next five to clinch a dramatic victory.
"The B' team were the favourites going in to the final and held a slender lead after the first leg," added Derek. "But we thought we had a great chance to force a play-off after we did so well at the beginning of the second leg.
"But it wasn't to be and the now the B' team have the pub bragging rights."
The A' team, captained by Eddie O'Riley, and the Tony Newton's B' side clashed after winning their respective leagues to go in to the end of the season Champions of Champions knockout.
And while Tony got one over his counterpart, Derek said there is only friendly rivalry between the two teams.
"All the lads get on really well so I suppose we are all one happy team. There is a rivalry because everyone wants to win but they are all good mates."
Derek said he has been proud of the pub's record in indoor sports since his name went above the door.
"I have always been sports orientated so when I came in I made sure we kept the teams going.
"We have darts, dominoes and snooker teams playing out of this pub as well as the pool teams."
But hopes of the A' team nicking the bragging rights already appeared to be dashed as they have already lost to the B' team in the league this season.
And with the A' team currently in second spot, it looks like they may have to settle for another runners-up place.
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