Warrington duo make the grade for national teams (From Warrington Guardian)

Warrington duo make the grade for national teams

11:00am Friday 12th October 2012 in Sport

FORMER clubmates will represent rival countries at next week’s European Blackball Nations Cup.

Latchford stick James Beaton is part of the Republic of Ireland’s B team for the five-day tournament in Dublin, which starts on Monday, where he will be joined by Chris Lee.

The Orford man is captain of England’s B side.

“We were teammates for a few years at Spa Brook,” said Beaton, aged 30.

“We still play together for Cheshire though, who we hope to represent at next year’s national county finals.”

Both Beaton and Hawthorn regular Lee, aged 42, have been familiar faces in the Warrington Independent Pool League for the past two decades.

“It’s my fourth season playing for Ireland in international competition, while Chris has been part of England’s set up since last year,” added Beaton, now of Lord Rodney.

The European Blackball Association’s (EBA) hosts an international competition for B teams for the first time.