Press Correspondent:   Peter Thompson      
ETTA Senior Coach
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Jacques Shield Fright for Pudsey

Pudsey having won the league undefeated were strong favourites to make it a Leeds League and cup double as they faced Victoria in the Jacques Shield final at Richmond Hill.

The team of Richard Smith, Simon Pugh and Joanna Roberts made a perfect start as Simon beat Graham Manicom in three straight sets. John Chew took the next set over Joanna in three sets to make it 1-1. Smith then put Pudsey back in the lead with a comfortable win over Mann Younis. Victoria’s number one Chew playing a mixture of float, chop and occasional hitting got the better of Pugh 13-11 in the fourth end. Once again Pudsey edged in front 3-2 with a fifth end win for Richard over Manicom.

Victoria sensing it was their night responded to level for the third time as Younis got the better of Joanna 15-13 in the fourth. The clash of both undefeated players Smith and Chew turned out to be surprisingly one sided as a fired up Smith came out blazing with strong topspins off both wings and won in three sets. With Pudsey now 4-3 in front and with Pugh to play Younis the Pudsey team expected victory but Younis in this topsy turvy cup final levelled the match for Victoria for the fourth time.

Joanna now faced Manicom and took the first end 11-3 but was made to work all the way in the second 11-9. This signalled the end of the Victoria fight as Joanna took the third to give Pudsey a dramatic 5-4 victory.

This sees the end of the Leeds League winter season with Pudsey completing a League and Cup double for the second successive season. This adds to the Yorkshire Clubs trophy success to round up an excellent season.

Posted 21 April 2011 10:05 BST