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