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