IT was 30 years ago that Martin Edwards last achieved success in the Clacton and District League’s Handicap Knockout Cup.

This week, the long-serving Brotherhood B skipper gave himself the opportunity to repeat that achievement, leading his team to a place in the 2015 final with a 5-2 semi-final victory over Windsor Eagles.

The Brotherhood side got off to the worst possible start, with the Windsor pairing of Phil and Mark Smith (-6) confidently taking the opening doubles 14-12, 11-9, 11-6 against Gracie Edwards and David North (+1).

But the ever-reliable Edwards (+1) steadied the Brotherhood ship by edging the second match 11-4, 11-3, 9-11, 8-11, 11-9 against Gary Cattermole (-3).

Brotherhood then took control, with both North and Gracie Edwards winning convincingly in their singles to race to a 4-1 lead.

Cattermole (-6) briefly gave Windsor a glimmer of hope when he edged out Gracie Edwards (+1) 8-11, 11-9, 3-11, 12-10, 11-9.

But Martin (+1) held his nerve in match seven and, using both experience and determination, defeated Mark Smith (-3) 11-7, 11-6, 11-9 to settle the tie for Brotherhood.

In the final, Brotherhood B will meet divisional rivals side Walton C, who ended the dreams of division three giant-killers Nomads Leopards.

However, Walton’s old hands of Derek Willis, Paul Meikle and Mark Gale were made to fight all the way and the 5-0 score-line scarcely reflects the hard-fought efforts of the Leopards’ trio.

Indeed, John Bonner, Harry Beezer and Tom Collins can be justly proud of their endeavours and for keeping the flag flying for the lower-division sides.

The cup final takes place on Tuesday, May 5 at 7.30pm, at Clacton’s Brotherhood Hall.

In division two of the league, mid-table Brotherhood E were in action in two matches brought forward against fellow Brotherhood teams, both of whom are fighting for honours at the top.

In their first match, the E team lost 6-4 to Brotherhood C but the C team could only muster two players – and the two-point penalty deduction could prove vital in the final outcome.

The C team’s cause was not helped when Brotherhood D went on to defeat the E side 8-2, with Russell Hillier and Lee Harvey staying unbeaten.

Brotherhood C now have 164 points and Brotherhood D 156, with both sides having two matches left.

Nomads Ocelots are on 147 points and have four matches to play.