ARTHUR Faux and Dave Whalley became the first duo to retain the Knutsford and District Amateur League’s Bert Astles Memorial Pairs Trophy following their victory in the final last week.

The Alderley Union combination celebrated a hard-earned victory over five-time finalists Tony Crompton and Mike Roylance (Mobberley) to take the title at Wilmslow Cons.

They saw off another Mobberley tandem, Paul Adkin and Steve Flanders, in the last four earlier the same evening.

Crompton and Roylance had squeezed past Brook Street’s Andy Long and Bob Jones in their semi-final encounter.

Results:

Semi finals (handicap in brackets): Steve Flinders & Paul Adkin (Mobberley A) (scr) 0-2 Dave Whalley & Arthur Faux (Alderley Union) (15); Mike Roylance & Tony Crompton (Mobberley A) (scr) 2-1 Bob Jones & Andy Long (Brook St A) (20).

Final: Roylance & Crompton 1-2 Whalley & Faux.

MOBBERLEY C remain as clear front-runners in a race for promotion to the league’s top-flight despite only scraping past Mere A in their latest meeting.

Closest-rivals Wilmslow Cons B missed an opportunity to close a gap to first place when they could only match that score against back-markers Mere C.

Wilmslow RBL’s hopes of playing at a higher level next season took a hit when they became the latest side to lose to in-form Mobberley D, victors now in eight of their past 11 games.

Mobberley A extended a winning run to 21 matches in Division One following a narrow 4-3 success at Wilmslow Cons A.

Shaw Heath consolidated their hold on second spot by beating Morley, while third-placed Alderley Union edged out Brook Street A.

Meanwhile Tatton continue to occupy a place in the table’s bottom two following a 5-2 reverse at Mobberley A.

Results, week 21:

Division One: Alderley Union 4-3 Brook St A; Mobberley B 5-2 Tatton; Shaw Heath 6-1 Morley; Wilmslow Cons A 3-4 Mobberley A.

Division Two: Mere B 5-2 Brook St B; Mobberley C 4-3 Mere A; Wilmslow Cons B 4-3 Mere C; Wilmslow RBL 1-6 Mobberley D.