Let’s look back to the Farmers Club, Ormskirk, early October. Messieurs Gill, James and Horsfall are discussing the forthcoming winter ladder, and the fact that they would be starting at the bottom due to last years efforts. The Horse, fuelled by ale, exclaims that he will be top by Christmas! Gill and James laugh, telling the Horse that he wouldn’t be top by any Christmas as he’d never make a bowler.

Roll forward to December 15th and a crisp sunny winters afternoon. The Horse, on the back of an 8 match winning streak (including a crushing 21-20 comeback victory against Ian), has challenged the Faganator to reach the top of the pile.

Horse has a bad start and loses the toss, but it doesn’t matter as he races to an ELEVEN nil lead leaving Mike stunned. Mike rallies well to a respectable deficit but the damage has been done – the Horse holds on and wins comfortably 21-16.

The Horse is top before Christmas who can knock him off his pedestal?