Sunday mourning

THE SATURDAY champions in the Basingstoke and District League again reigned supreme against their Sunday counterparts in the Knightsbridge Garage-sponsored All Champions Cup final.

Bramley United continued the success of last year's Saturday champions Hook by beating Basingstoke and North Hants Cricket Club in Friday night's final at Water End.

The deadly finishing by Saturday League leading goalscorer Martin Campbell proved too much for Cricket Club. Campbell netted twice and Bramley's third goal came from Nils Wedi.

Bramley, who only received the premier division cup just before the kick-off, won the All Champions Cup for the first time in their long history.

This was no easy game for manager Steve Wigglesworth's side, though. Cricket Club gave as good as they got throughout, with their third choice goalkeeper Mitchell Stokes playing his part.

Tony Dixon, who led the Bramley attack, tested Stokes with a hot-shot in the fifth minute which was tipped over the bar and then Dixon fired just over the bar a minute later.

Only a great block by Mario Nurse stopped Nathan Wigglesworth scoring for Bramley in the 20th minute.

Five minutes later, Dixon brought another fine save from Stokes before the first real threat to the Bramley goal.

In the 30th minute, two goal-bound efforts were blocked and then a shot by Jamie Morgan rebounded to Nurse. This was a great opportunity for the tricky Nurse but, from six yards out, he managed only to find the knee of Simon Price, who was a late replacement in the United goal for Scott Cripps.

Bramley broke the deadlock in the 34th minute when they were awarded a free-kick just outside the box. A short ball from Martin Dawes saw Campbell slam his ground-shot into the near corner of the net.

Just before half-time, Cricket Club had a chance to level following a free-kick. Dan Burgess sliced the ball and it fell to Jamie Morgan but his header sailed over the bar.

Cricket Club came on strongly after the break. Steve Lampkin tried a lob but it drifted wide of the post and Andy Neal flashed a shot on the turn just wide.

At the other end, Campbell was soon on the rampage again.

His fast raids on the left troubled the Cricket Club defence and only another diving save from Stokes stopped him making it 2-0.

It was only a matter of time before another Bramley goal came and, in the 55th minute, Campbell took a ball over the top from Darren Eaton to lob home a 29-yard shot beyond Stokes' reach.

Cricket Club replied with a neat finish in the 62nd minute after Dan Burgess found Neal on the right with a long pass.

Neal dribbled on and Andy Waugh-Bacchus slipped the ball past the outstretched legs of Price.

Cricket Club had a lean spell after this and the game looked killed off in the 83rd minute when a poor clearance fell to Dixon. He found Wedi with a long cross from the left and the midfielder's shot deflected in off Mike Freer.

A late rally from Cricket Club saw a header from Freer taken low by Price and substitute Ben Ions might have done better when Neal found him at the far post.

The Knightsbridge All Champions Cup was presented by John Saunders, the League president.

Bramley United: Simon Price, Darren Eaton, Nick Harris, Kevin Hanley, Nathan Wigglesworth, Barry Williams, Tim Carvill, Martin Dawes, Tony Dixon, Martin Campbell, Nils Wedi. Subs: Matt Conway, Amos Hobby, Sam Conway.

Cricket Club: Mitchell Stokes, Dan Burgess, Nick Harris, Martin Turner, Mike Freer, Nick Bearne, Mark Spittles, Mario Nurse, Jamie Morgan, Andy Neal, Andy Waugh-Bacchus.

Subs: John Parsons, Darren Lyons, Ben Irons.

Referee: Wayne Cooksey. Assistants: Gary Beldaus and Jim Stokes. Fourth official: John Balcombe.