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