Minehead produced a magnificent performance to reach the final of the National Mixed Fours Championships in Northampton last week.

The team of Hilary and Mervyn May, Elaine Amery and Steve Hooper joined together for the first time to defeat Taunton BC’s Jill and Dave Young, Stan and Jackie Hedger in the zone final.

That earned them a place in the National finals, which brought together the top 32 club teams in the country. Minehead embarked on a superb run which saw them defeat Ipswich (21-20), Hartlepool (19-18) and Egham (21-11).

They then defeated Spalding 22-17 in the semi-final before being beaten 22-11 in the final by a City of Ely side, which included four international players.

The Minehead team would like to thank the EIBA and the members of Minehead BC for their support during the memorable and exciting run in the Championships.

Mixed match played on Sunday: Minehead 55, Nomads 55 – S Brooker, G Thorpe, V Welch, M Keough 22-13; A Harris, C Thorpe, R Brooker, H Smith 12-26; J Sully, M Roberts, T Harris, M Pipkin won 21-16.

TAUNTON mixed friendlies: Taunton beat Axminster at home (63-46) – S. Smith, R. Tomlinson, J. Waldis, E. Smith (23-18); R. Coombs ,V. Bishop, V. Jarman, N. Maggs (16-19); A. Bishop, D. Allen, M & T. Whitehead (24-9). Taunton beat Watchet at home (66-40) – K and B Lye, F. Foxwell, L. Bass (28-12); J. Hurford, G. Beckerson, J. Waldis, D. Buck (20-12); J. Gaskel, J. Hoare, R. Bath, G. Hoare (18-16). Taunton beat Queen Camel at home (75-41) – T. Tingle, B Lye, R & D Buckingham (23-16); J. Grandfield, D. Allen, J. Gubbins, A Grandfield (23-11); J. Hurford, A. Collinson, J. Waldis, N. Gubbins (29-14); Taunton lost away to Honiton (57-62) – J. Grandfield, V. Jarman, R & D Buckingham (32-13); G. Hughes, F Hunt, A. Grandfield and N. Maggs (12-29); R Coombs, R. Tomlinson, N. Gubbins, D. Hughes (13-20).