THE FIRST round of The Hope Pole Winter Cup threw up some surprises as four of the top five Droitwich Spa Pool League Oakwell Brewery Premiership teams were relegated to the Shadow Cup.
Only The Hop Pole Green Army out of the top five recorded a cup win, running out 6-4 victors over second placed Pillar of Dreams.
League leaders The Pillar of Salt lost 6-3 to Star Asbo while Young & Old Ringers lost by a similar scoreline to Salty Balls.
Meanwhile Westcroft Arms lost 6-4 to Westcroft Cartel.
There was joy at the other end of the table for the bottom two teams as Bite The Pillar recorded a 6-5 win over The Freemasons while The Dovey enjoyed a 6-2 win over The Barley Mow.
The other teams in the draw for the second round of the cup are Ringostars, Doverdale Arms and The Star Dinosaurs following their respective wins in the competition.
