Good afternoon to you all. 

Firstly, please accept my apologies for the lateness of this week's report. I've had a busy weekend and was actually visiting my son & family in Gloucestershire on Saturday and Sunday... I did take my laptop with me, but also experienced some technical difficulties when trying to upload the new pages to accommodate the Team Knockout and Individual Merit & Pairs draws... I think the "technical difficulties" were probably down to me still working out how, exactly, to update and add new pages correctly!

Anyhow, back to all your efforts in the League this week... Pudsey Congs continued marching on towards their second consecutive league title, with yet another 4-1 win. This time it was a home win over Princeville. You should be able to see the individual game results from the scoresheet on the appropriate page. A Facebook page quote from Richard Bowes on Congs win was "Squeaky bums at several points this evening, I dropped 160 behind early in my game and John (Hirst) started the final game with us 11 points behind on aggregate." Both Richard and John won by 7 and 27 respectively. Phil Hirst also won his game for Congs, but James Butcher won his game for Princeville.

At St Andrews, the B team were also 4-1 winners over Bradford Deaf Centre and won the aggregate point by a small margin of 21 points. Their winners were Dave Smith, Steve Clark and Norman Procter. The Deaf Centre's winner was Brian Robinson over League President Malcolm Barnes. On the subject of these two teams... they have now arranged to get their postponed match played on Monday the 4th December 2023. 

At bottom of the table, Littlemoor; St Andrews A were the visitors. The result went exactly to form with the visitors coming out on top with another 4-1 to match the other 4-1's this week. St Andrews A's point scorers were Neil Lee, Gary Rogers and Graham Pearson who had a close call with John Allan; and in fact late on, looked like losing but persevered in the last 2-3 minutes to pip John 195-182. Neil and Gary were more comfortable winners over Graham Tudor and a very much out of form League Sec (Please don't laugh when looking at the Players Table!). One of Littlemoor's only things worth shouting about this season is the performances of Ralph Allan who actually still tops the Players Table and is still the only one out of all of us in the League who still has a 100% record!

So, this week's results still leaves Congs in front by 4 points and Littlemoor now a full 3 points behind Princeville in 6th. This week, Littlemoor will be at home to Princeville. St Andrews A will try to get above Bradford Deaf Centre (they currently trail them by 2) and there's a table topping clash between Congs and St Andrews B. 

At the League Meeting on Friday last, we drew the Team Knockout, Individuals and Pairs competitions. The details of those can now be found on the appropriate pages. Please also take note of the message I have placed on the Individual Merit & Pairs page about the need for some players to make alternative arrangements with their opponents to get their Individual Merit matches played; where either or both of them are involved in the Pairs Competition - the Preliminary Round for that will be played on Thursday the 28th December 2023. Any confusion about this or if you require anyone's contact details then please get in touch with me.

Finally, I am advised that Andy Instrell's funeral will be this Wednesday the 29th November 2023. A funeral service will take place at Filey Methodist Church, Union Street, Filey, N Yorks, YO14 9DZ at 12 o'clock. I realise that because of the location and short notice, that probably a number of us will be unable to attend. There is a tribute dedicated to Andy... online which can be found at https://andrewinstrell.muchloved.com/ and via that link you can make a donation.

David Howarth

League Secretary

 Good evening all

Apologies for the lateness of this update... Firstly, I need to report to you some further bad news. Alan Holdsworth who represented Princeville up to 2017 in this league, and also in the Bradford Sunday School League, sadly passed away last week aged 94. Our thoughts are with Princeville and Alan's family at this sad time.

Pudsey Congs extended their lead at the top of the table following St Andrews B's second only defeat of the season.. away at Princeville. Each of Congs six wins this season have been by the same 4-1 score-line. This week's 4-1 was away at St Andrews A. Bradford Deaf Centre were also able to close the gap on St Andrews B when defeating basement dwellers Littlemoor 3-2.

The undoubted highlight of this week was a fantastic 126 break by... guess who? You've got it... Richard Bowes. In doing so, Richard probably beat most of the league's players scored all evening, at just the one visit. This week's break was made at St Andrews A, where he beat Neil Lee 200-127. Also in the same game he made 2 further notable breaks of 72 and 31. Congs two other winners were Phil Hirst who beat Nigel Brayshaw 200-176 and John Hirst who had a much closer win over Gary Rogers 200-198. Graham Pearson was St Andrews A's only winner, beating Dave Hirst 200-181. I am advised by Dave that Graham "played really well". Both had breaks of over 20... Graham with a 21 and Dave with a 23. 

At the Deaf Centre, Littlemoor were hoping to try achieve a rare win, especially as the very much in-form Ijaz Hussain, was away ill. (Get well soon Ijaz). It wasn't to be though, especially after a very much out of luck, and out of form, John Allan was well beaten by the home team's Jeremy Dixon 200-102. On the other table, Littlemoor's Graham Tudor beat the Deaf Centre's debutant Graham Lambert 199-150. The aggregate point was therefore firmly in the grip of the home side at half way. Next up was the Deaf Centre's Brian Robinson against your truly and Ian Ford against Littlemoor's Ralph Allan. Brian was able to take full advantage of my woeful form in this league this season; and I never really got a look in. I suffered my eighth (yes 8th!) defeat of the season by a walloping 200-140. I can only think that a doppelganger turns up and plays (much better) on my behalf on Tuesdays in the Bradford League! On the other table, Ralph Allan was looking like suffering his first defeat for Littlemoor this season, against Ian Ford. But after being around 40 adrift, he gradually worked his way back in and with only seconds left and with Ian needing just 3 and Ralph needing 5; Ralph somehow managed to keep his 100% record intact with a 5 shot! 

I have received the following report from Princeville's James Butcher on their 3-2 win against St Andrews B:-

"First up was myself v David (Smith) and Keith (Tomlinson) v Steve Clarke. After a couple of early leaves from David, I got off to a strong start and had the momentum by stringing balls together.  Any misses I had fell safe.  The top of board cushion was lifeless. Balls either stuck on the cushion or lost pace by a good quarter length of the table. As a result of the conditions, David had very little to go at and I enjoyed most of the table time. Potting from long range with ball in hand was a regular feature in my game, as a compromise. During the second half, David enjoyed some well overdue table time and strung a few shots together. But was up against the large deficit and running clock. Towards the end, a few flukes went in my favour to keep the scoreboard ticking and got to 200pts in barely over 35 minutes. 

On the other table, Keith did well to keep Steve quiet for the 1st half.  Scores were very much level in and around the 140 mark.  But Steve eventually got into full flow and got past the 180 mark with Keith at 150.  When Steve gets going, he is like Tony Drago and soon got to 200. 

For the second half, it was John (Bedford) v Steve Boocock and new signing Martyn (Britton) v Norman (Procter). Norman managed to get within parity of Martyn to begin with, but Martyn started to build some momentum and strung some shots together.  As the match progressed, Martyn's game was coming to the fore and he registered a 16 break to get to 198.  Although from the angle I was in, the break finished with Martyn's cue ball making faint contact with Norman's cue ball. This did not matter too much as he soon had opportunity to get the score required.  Some encouraging signs from the debutant, even if there was an element of "beginners luck".

On the other table, Steve made two early misses where a score was the favourite. John got back to parity with a 22 break, but Steve replenished his lead. The scores were level at 119, but John just could not get in front. Steve kept his score ticking over, advancing towards the 200 mark. John's late fight back was thwarted with a couple of foul shots, as his cue ball was stuck on the dreaded top board cushion.

A good night on the whole for Princeville after last week's horror show at the Deaf Centre.  Where Ian Ford "went off like a bullet in a China shop" 

Thanks for that James. This coming week, Princeville will be away at Congs and St Andrews B will host Bradford Deaf Centre. St Andrews A will be at Littlemoor.

Please also be reminded that there is a league meeting at St Andrews this week on Friday the 24th November with a 7.30pm start. We will need your Individual Merit and Pairs entries before that meeting. The charges are £1.50 per player for each entry. 

Dave Howarth

League Secretary

  

 I have, this morning, received the following message from Neil Lee of St Andrews:-

"It is with deep regret and sadness that I must inform you all of the passing of a true icon of St Andrews billiards, as well as being a thoroughly good bloke, Andy Instrell. Despite his well documented later problems, I'm sure you will all remember him fondly, as I & all the members of the St Andrews Institue do. He died Saturday night of pneumonia, sadly"

I would like to echo what Neil has said in his message... I will always remember Andy as being an excellent billiards player in our league for many years. He also successfully represented Pudsey in the Bradford and District Sunday School Billiards League on many occasions, often leading the team from top board. He was a kind and generous man, and was always keen to offer help and advice to any new players, like myself, a good few years ago. He was very magnanimous and complementary to his opponents in defeat and humble in victory. We have all missed him in the last few years, during his long and difficult illness and we will continue to miss him very much. Rest in peace Andy...

I'm sure that all our thoughts and prayers are with St Andrews and Andy's family and friends at this sad time.

David H

This photo was taken in May 2014. St Andrews A won the league title in the 2013/14 season. L-R Neil Lee, Andy Instrell, Graham Pearson & Gary Rogers.

Morning all. This was possibly the most defining week so far in terms of sorting out who the main contenders are likely to be for this season's league title... the top 3 teams from last week all beat the bottom 3. 

At St Andrews, in the second derby of the season there, the B team were able to turn the tables on the A team who beat them 4-1 in week 2. This time though it was a closer run affair with Neil Lee and Graham Pearson defeating the B team's Dave Smith and Steve Clark respectively, but the B team's Steve Boocock and Norman Procter were able to overcome Nigel Brayshaw and John Oyston respectively. There was just 10 points between the two teams for the aggregate point, which went the way of the B team. That win for St Andrews B keeps them well in contention near the top and also with a match in hand against Congs.

At a very chilly Congs, Dave Hirst took on yours truly. Still having no win to my name (in this league) this season, I knew that playing Congs long standing campaigner Dave Hirst, would probably be another struggle. And, maybe with that truthful, but maybe negative, attitude; that's exactly what it was... Dave beat me easily 200-137, with some excellent and consistent scoring in less than 45 minutes. Next up was John Hirst against Littlemoor's Graham Tudor. This was another one sided and even quicker affair with John winning in not much over half an hour 200-142. With the aggregate point just about already in Congs pockets, Phil Hirst took on Littlemoor's Ralph Allan. Playing in only his third match so far this season, and yet still leading the Players Table, Ralph retrieved some respectability for the visitors, with a pretty comfortable, and regularly scoring, 200-169 win; with just a handful of minutes to go. The top table game was left to the end with Richard Bowes facing John Allan. Richard is well used to conceding handicap start to all his opponents... this time round it was 110. Once he was in his stride, there wasn't much to stop him knocking in breaks of 53, 31 and 49... there was probably a 20 break in there as well for good measure. The clock intervened though to stop John from any further suffering at 165-121. A comfortable 4-1 win for Congs was the result to keep them firmly at the top, and also worsened Littlemoor's woe at the bottom.

At Bradford Deaf Centre, Princeville were this week's opponents. Unusually, in this one, the clock stopped all four of these games. However, although some would say the clock was the moral winner, all five points went the way of the home side. The scoresheet shows that Brian Robinson beat Keith Tomlinson 193-178, Ian Ford beat Graham Bentley 197-180, the in-form Ijaz Hussain won 176-143 and on the top table, Jeremy Dixon beat James Butcher 165-132. So, 5-0 to the Deaf Centre puts them now well in contention, near the top, with a match in hand, and only 4 and a half points behind leaders, and only two and a half points behind St Andrews B.

This coming week, Congs will be at St Andrews A, Littlemoor are at the Deaf Centre and Princeville will be hosting St Andrews B. Good luck to all involved.

The Players Table is now up to date. I have deliberately left last week's table on view. I think I will leave the previous table in view each week so that you can compare where you were the week before.

Please also note that the next league meeting will be on Friday the 24th November at St Andrews 7:30pm start. We will be drawing the KO competitions at that meeting, so please have your entries in for both the Pairs and the Individuals by the date of that meeting.

Enjoy your Sunday everyone!

Dave Howarth

League Sec

Good morning all. Last season's winners Pudsey Congs took on Bradford Deaf Centre this week. This is often a close run match, but the scorecard shows three of the four games weren't so ... The closest of the four looks to have been between home man John Hirst and Deaf Centre's "newbie" Neil Paul. John came out on top 187-175. John's lad Phil also had an important 200-164 win over Ian Ford; but Congs skipper Dave Hirst suffered a rare home loss to a very much in-form Ijaz Hussain 200-164. Ijaz knocked in two excellent breaks of 56 (the highest of the evening) and a 27 - so very well done Ijaz. However, Congs Richard Bowes had the biggest win, overcoming a minus 80 point deficit to beat Jeremy Dixon 200-89 and knocked in 3 breaks of 34,36 and an unfinished 35.

At St Andrews, the A team played Princeville. I'm advised that first up was home skipper Neil Lee against his away counterpart Keith Tomlinson. Neil got his team off to a great start with a confident 200-146 win and in the process knocked in a 20 and a 24. I'm not too clear as to who was on next, but Princeville pulled one back with John Bedford beating Graham Pearson 200-164. James Butcher had what looks to have been a close game and edged out St Andrews A's Nigel Brayshaw 186-176. I also believe that down to different arrival times, and requested departure times, home man Gary Rogers (h/cap 105) ended up playing this season's Pudsey League debutant, Stephen Kershaw (h/cap -5). So, giving a 110 point start, it was always looking like a constant uphill struggle for Stephen. However, I'm advised that although Gary got off to a good start, Stephen was closing fast at the bell, losing out by just 10, 175-165. So, a 3-2 home win was the end result with only 18 points being the difference between the two teams for the coveted aggregate point.

Littlemoor welcomed a strong looking St Andrews B, who were only 2 points behind Congs after last week and with a match in hand. First up for the visitors were Norman Procter against Peter Allan. On the top table, it was Dave Smith against Littlemoor's John Allan. Both games ended up confirming recent form, with Norman beating Peter 182-165 and Dave beating John 171-165. John looked the likely winner early on though, reducing the handicap deficit and then knocking in a 25 break. However, Dave hit back right away, equalising with a 25 of his own. Dave also got a decent 20 break along the way to give him a much needed lead near the end and with some good running, he held on by just 6 points. Steve Clark then made short work of beating Littlemoor's Graham Tudor 200-152 in just 35 minutes. On the near table, Dave Howarth took on the visitors Steve Boocock. Dave got off to a good start and soon reduced the 15 point handicap deficit and was soon around 20 in front. However, when the running altered, Steve showed all his experience and with a series of breaks in the teens, he gradually worked his way into a good lead and reached the 200 just before the bell to win by 18 points and consigned Littlemoor to the foot of the table with an excellent 5-0 away win.

So, with 6 weeks now under their belts, Congs are still in their familiar spot at the top but St Andrews B are now breathing down their necks, only 1 point behind and with a match in hand. There are then three teams who are four and a half points behind in third and Littlemoor prop up the table and are now a further 3 points further back. I will publish details of when the un-played match can be played as soon as I am aware.

This coming week, at Congs, it's top against bottom. At the Deaf Centre there's an all Bradford affair with Princeville dropping in and there is another derby at St Andrews. 

I'll bring the Players Table up to date later on, if not today, tomorrow.

Please note the next meeting will be at St Andrews on the 24th November. See details in my previous post below.

Dave Howarth

League Secretary