(Apparent) seniority just about won the day as our Mid Sussex League squad won the coveted Jimmy Riddle Trophy against our John Spriggs League team.

Traditionally, the MSL is played by the more experienced members, but it’s fair to say the so-called junior squad included some top-quality players, helping them earn an impressive third place in Division 2 of the John Spriggs this season.

So it was not entirely surprising that the annual contest between the two for the trophy to beat all trophies was evenly fought.

The MSL won three of the four rinks, but an outstanding 20-9 victory by the JSL four of Rowland Morris, Wendy Alexander, Ken Starnes and Bill Mann over John Box, Annie McGee, David Leach and Phoom meant the final score was a respectable 76-64 to the “seniors”.

It took a fine recovery from 8-18 to earn my team, which included Graham Brown, Jennie and Graham Barton a 21-18 victory over Basil, Paul Palmer, Jill Hatfield and Mark Howell.

Anne Bosman, Mark Gooch and Peter Huntley, playing one short but with an extra wood, beat Bob, Gwen, Fiona and Clive.

And Tony Jarvis, Mike McQuillin, Ted and Linda triumphed against Nicola, Peter Burman, Doug and Dorothy.

Captain Graham Brown lifted the precious trophy amid magnanimous congratulations from opposite number Basil – and promptly plonked it on his (own) head.

Being captain seems to have driven him potty.

Result: Mid Sussex League 76, John Spriggs League 64