The culminating day of Season 2010-2011 was marked by a pair of distinctive ties; a Clash of the Tie-tans, if you will. Longtime followers of the league will be only too familiar with Rikk Lucas's celebrated Mister Pound neck-piece which traditionally emerges from mothballs for the big occasion. However our old friend Graham McLaurin upped the An-tie by sporting a splendid liquor-striped adornment. As we queued, two chaps in the window box hailed us with an 'Are you the Pie and Mash Club?' It was a satisfying moment made all the more more savoury by their names, Charles and David.

Although first place was a foregone conclusion there was some heat left in the race for bronze position. This became apparent when old lag Lucas stepped up to the counter with a monster order reminiscent of his glory years.

In the back booth, jaws were set firmly to the shortcrust. Our old chum Dave R-K was fuelling up for another high energy evening set with his band Revelinsky, while Edward Mosse was simply maintaining his humming-bird-like metabolism.

Terry Cecil, in a tonsil-revealing moment; 'open wide for the aeroplane'. Can you believe he's a grandad? Terry's studying hard for his F.A. referee exams so at last the Pie and Mash Club will have an arbiter to rival Len Wilcock.

Andy Potts looks sharper every time I see him — he wears the kind of crease that can shave parmesan at thirty paces.

Brian Catchpole was putting the pie into pineapple as he returned to the Hawaiian look sported at the start of the season. I tried to lure him into a points scramble for third place in the league, but he was unswayed in his determination to leave space for a post-pie pint.

Paul Grice's game has matured this season. The Preston man is oft observed grappling gracefully with an eel bone.

The august Tom Leader conveyed his best regards to the club via Canadian colleague, Jean O' Reilly. Tom's conspicuous absence paved a silver way clear through for the Gobfather, aka Len Wilcock. Len's moniker is not just reference to mouth and trousers, but also glowing tribute to his porcelain-shattering portions.

If the club were ever to need the services of a secretary, I nominate Linda Holligan, the newcomer who always adds a professional sheen to proceedings. Linda chose a liquor-green tabard for the awards ceremony.

Eileen is truly a pie and mash professional.

Here's our Graham with a quick reminder. If only there was a Tie-n-Fash Club . . .

The wooden spoon goes to Linda, well deserved for her consistent under-achievement through the season's latter stages.

He dribbled for the PIe and Mash League . . . and came third.

We enjoyed a satisfying drink outside The Exmouth Arms on what was to be its last day. Whither will the posties go for their lunchtime refreshment and entertainment? The slots were being carted off as we supped. The Ex-exmouth Arms; it might as well rain until September. See you then.

St@