Stockport win the trophy once more in a match that lived up to its 'friendly' label

As joint setter and QM Mike had a ringside seat at this encounter

Just as last year WithQuiz fell behind their rivals from across the Mersey ('The New Berlin' as wags have recently dubbed Stockport).  By the end of Round 2 Stockport had a 6-point lead and that was the margin at the end of the second half.

Tony and Ivor captained the WithQuiz half dozen with John and Damian from the Charas, and Ashton and Ian from Albert, the not-quite-able-enough troops.  For Stockport there were the familiar faces of Alice, Andrea, George, Haydn, Barrie and Mike.

The Parrswood was athrong with an Irish folk band fiddling away in the far room and a fair number of drinkers elsewhere.  We grabbed the upper lounge and curtained ourselves away but even so Barrie and I had to raise our voices a few decibels.  Fortunately by the time our music round (Round 5) came the folksy hubbub had eased off and hearing wasn't a problem.

A cheerful event with plenty of nattering after the final whistle - but oh, it would be good to get that Pre-season Cup back some time if only to choke Mike Wagstaffe's perennial jibe: "Here's the Cup - just take a quick peek before we return it to its ancestral home in Stockport".

... and Stockport's Mike adds ...

We always look forward to the annual pre-season friendly as there’s no better way to brush off the cerebral cobwebs than by competing against our friends and next-door neighbours WithQuiz.

Last night was as enjoyable as ever, with a closely fought quiz played in a great spirit between two evenly matched teams.  The excellent paper was ably presented by Barrie and Mike, having their own competition against the band in the other room - who were still going strong as we left at 11.30.

Thank you to all at WithQuiz for their hospitality, and we’re already looking forward to the next time our respective leagues go head-to-head in the first round of the WIST Champions Cup in December.