Oh we do like to beat the C siders

Feelings are mixed among the St Denys Conservative Club B players.

The club's C team has played in the top flight since the old king died. And there was a typical Terry Kitcher welcome for the B side when they won promotion in 1995.

David Willmore recalled: “Terry said ‘you boys are coming up to the men’s division’.

“And we’ve always beaten them since. And that’s what I’d like to do again.

“The only time they’ve beaten us was when we had to give them a table.”

B team skipper Fred Wakefield said: “They don’t like playing us because we always beat them. (Terry) reckons we’re his bogey team.”

And the 2009 individual champion added: “We’ve been in Division 3 for two seasons and we’re hopefully going to get out.”

But Tessa Watts said she preferred life in the lower leagues.

“We’ve played in all three and the top division is so cut-throat,” she said. “I just enjoy the game, even if I’m not having a good night, card-wise.”

Watts recalled staying with her uncle, who had a pub.

“My joy at 13 or 14 was going down to the snug (bar) and playing the old men at cards and dominoes,” she laughed. “They couldn’t believe someone so young could play - and whop them as well.”

Watts, who has never won anything apart from a trophy for a 28-point hand in the Tuesday league, added: “I can’t get enough of it. It’s part of my life.”

Wakefield, Willmore, Wendy Winter and former skipper Tom Ford originally played at The Guide Dog pub, in Bevois Valley.

Winter, who partnered Wakefield for 25 years in the pub league, returned to the side this season.

“Fred said he was so short of players,” she said. “I do enjoy my crib, I always have done. It’s something you don’t forget."

Willmore joined St Denys Cons B in 1992 as a reserve. He also re-signed this season after ten years living in Warminster.

The 71-year-old, known as Willy, used to play for The Crown and Sceptre, now The Dungeon. But he said the cribbage and darts teams were forced out to make way for students.

An Army man for 24 years, Willmore reckons cribbage is “dying”.

He said: “When I was a kid, parents used to play cards and the kids used to join in and learn from them.

“What’s with the kids now? Computers. Very few play cards. It’s slowly dying.”

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