After leaders St Andrews B's huge 6-0 win last week, this week it was their turn to sit out. Their nearest rivals, Pudsey Congs B, were at home to basement dwellers Littlemoor. With 6 points available, this was Congs B's chance to get as near as possible to the table toppers, or even overtake them. A win from Roy Denson over Littlemoor's sub, Peter Allan, was a good start. However, last season's champions, Littlemoor, hit back twice with wins from Graham Tudor and then Ralph Allan. This left Sid Ash with (some would say) not such a difficult task (this season) to beat yours truly, to ensure Congs B the win. Sid was always in front and was the more regular scorer. He was still over 20 in front as the 50 minutes drew closer. At that point, I knew things were close in terms of the aggregate point, but that the bonus point was impossible. With one second to spare, I hurriedly played my ball at the red and white, which were apart, but reasonably close... I'm not sure whether I played at it just before the bell, on the bell, or just after it... I'm not even sure whether my ball was still slightly in motion when I hit it... Anyhow, my ball missed both the white and the red... the referee called "foul"... and 2 points were awarded to Sid. If I hadn't hurried, and the bell had definitely beaten me, the total scores on the night would have been level, and instead of Congs B winning 4-2, it would have been 3.5-2.5! So, the 4-2 win for Congs B got them back to half a point behind in the race for the title!

At St Andrews, their A team suffered a 5-1 loss to in form Bradford Deaf. Jeremy Dixon, Brian Robinson and Ian Ford were the visitors winners. A 34 break from Ihjaz Hussain wasn't enough to stop Graham Pearson recording St Andrews A's only point on the night. 

At Princeville, it finished all square (3-3), with Pudsey Congs A's winners, father and son, John and Phil Hirst. James Butcher and Graham Bentley won by enough to claim the aggregate point on the night for Princeville, but with +94 from their previous fixture, this was enough for Congs A to claim the bonus point. 

At Littlemoor on Tuesday, in one of the the Pairs semi-finals, Peter Allan and myself beat John Oyston and John Rider 400-347. Peter's 32 point win meant my task of beating John Rider was made a bit easier. On the night, the running was definitely with us... not a lot more I can say on that, except that the Littlemoor flag is still flying in the Pairs and the Individual Merit as we are now guaranteed a place in both those finals. 

As this coming week is Maundy Thursday, it's shown as a free week of fixtures. However, I'm advised that the other Pairs semi-final will be played on that evening at Pudsey Congs. I'm not sure when the two Individual semis are being played, but I'm sure arrangements to get them done will happen soon. 

By Dave Howarth

League Secretary

Before this week's round up, I must advise you all of the sad news concerning the recent passing of St Andrews B's former player, Norman Procter. He needed to put his playing on hold a couple of years ago, due to his wife's ongoing illness. But more recently, his own declining health meant he had to retire from billiards. Norman will be sadly missed by all of us, and our condolences go out to his family and friends. As soon as I receive details of the funeral arrangements, I will post them here and to the Facebook page...

As the end of the league season draws closer, things are really hotting up at the top of the table. Last week, St Andrews B were clinging onto top spot by just half a point, and after winning only two of their previous eight, they really needed to re-discover some of their earlier good form... And, "re-discover" it they certainly did, with a massive 6-0 win over visitors Princeville. Dave Smith, John Bedford, Steve Boocock and Steve Clark all came good on the same evening to claim maximum points. 

And, to make things so much better from St Andrews B's point of view, their nearest rivals, Pudsey Congs B, suffered a rare defeat (4-2) away at Bradford Deaf Centre. Mick Hirst and Sid Ash were Congs B's winners over Jeremy Dixon and Ian Ford respectively; but Ihjaz Hussain's win over Trevor Smith and Brian Robinson's win over Roy Denson were enough to ensure four points were secured for the home side. Those two results now give St Andrews B a four and a half point breathing space at the top. However, this coming week will be their turn to sit out, whereas Congs B will be looking for a big win against joint bottom, Littlemoor. 

At Littlemoor this week, the home side faced St Andrews A, Being without top board, John Allan, his son Peter stepped into the fray, and was in fact Littlemoor's only winner. St Andrews A recorded three wins from Neil Lee, Nigel Brayshaw and Graham Pearson, who recorded the highest break of the week with a 31, so well done to him.

This coming week, Littlemoor are at Pudsey Congs B; Princeville will host Pudsey Congs A and Bradford Deaf will visit St Andrews A.

By Dave Howarth

League Secretary