Apparently Koo, the carrier pigeon that takes the press reports from Chicken HQ to the Observer office, complained to Lester, her quite-vocal shop-steward, that the report last week was ‘over-worded’ (apparently reports over 800 words should have ‘Heavy’ written on the outside), so this article will go straight to the facts because we don’t want to annoy ‘Red’ Lester, as he’s a big cheese in the Pigeon Union, so here goes:

Four trophies were awarded on ‘Judgement Friday’, with the newest of them being the ‘Hutton 80+ Shield’ which has been donated (and was presented) by our Trotters ‘patron’, Marion Hutton (to whom the Chickens are eternally grateful), in memory of her late husband, Tommy. This was won in its inaugural season by Alan Yates’s 29 points, which pipped John Hancock by virtue of his better back six - 13 to 12. Alan also pocketed £1.20 for his efforts, while John had 90p for his wallet. Hywel Probert took third place (and 60p) after his 22 points, the returning Mike Fox (his first game since October 27!) managed 21 points to collect 30p for his fourth place (two ‘3 for 1 for 4s’ helped!) and Meurig Jones just missed out on getting a mention on the sheet by one point - he obviously peaked by winning the previous week!

The Norman Badham Cup is contested by those whose age begins with a ‘7’ and this year it is Richard Davies who gets his name engraved on it for the first time with his ‘Best of the Day’ score of 32 (could have been better - two blobs as well!), but he led from the start (he was first out with Derek and Pedro, his fellow ‘lefties’ - they stand the wrong side of the ball, you know!) and he is also £1.20 richer now. Peter Williams took the runner-up spot after his 29 points, so he won 90p and Allen Watts stood on the bronze podium with 28 points, earning him a 60p reward.

Newly-retired Seniors captain Idwal David (his first Trot since March 1, 2013!) scored 27 (one of those an important number) and he was stunned into reticence when he was announced as the fourth place winner until it was realised that the ‘7’ was part of his score scribbled in the top corner of his card and not him claiming to enter the 70+ section - apparently he has a few years to go to qualify for that - so he was quickly moved into the ‘under 70s’ pile (where he was a commendable fifth) and he was replaced in fourth place by the grateful Des Stone with his 26, who eagerly accepted his 30p prize - not a bad effort as he was without his eight-iron which he had ‘misplaced’ on Tuesday - but they are re-united now!

For those Chicklets aged 69 or less there was the Danny Carew Putter to win and Neil ‘The Editor’ Dickinson will see his name on the trophy for the third time (to go with 2011 and 2015 - every three years, a pattern emerging!) and he won £1.20 with one of only two blob-less rounds (Stan Hudson getting the other one). David Rees claimed the silver podium place with his 30 points and he got 90p - 30p more than the Chicken Arranger won for his third placed 29 points, beating Roger Scholfield on the back six (14 to 13), but Roger got 30p for fourth. Strangely, both Roger and The Arranger also scored the only twos of the day, both on the sixth, to share the pot, so they also won 70p each!

The Booker Prize for the best five scores throughout the winter was also decided and once more it was tight. Twenty-five of the total of 41 players put five cards in and the top end scores included defending champ Des ending on 135, one ahead of Charlie, Alan Y on 134, Derek 132, with Bart and Pedro on 131. David R came sixth on 137, with Big Al coming fifth on 142 (but he had the highest average with 27.5 - a big cut looms next winter!). David Lamb came fourth on 143, Richard was third on 144, with the top pair scoring 150 and the countback rule was invoked leaving Neil the winner (twice in three years now) with the highest third score (top two matched!) of 31, leaving the Arranger as runner-up!

Over two-dozen Trotters (plus guests, patron Marion and the ‘behind the scenes’ office crew of Marilyn and Dave) sat down to the end of season meal (lovingly prepared and served by Lee and Emma) to applaud those winners mentioned and engage in some more Chicken banter before the official season adjournment until the resumption in October. Why not join the Happy Chicken Band? (798!)