This week saw the second round of matches in the Team Knockout contest. In Group 2, the holders, Littlemoor, having won their previous match against Princeville, simply needed to beat this week's opponents St Andrews B to reach the final again. Despite conceding a total of 90 points to St Andrews B, Littlemoor did indeed win, but overall, by just 11 points.

Similar to last week, players of very similar handicaps were drawn against each other. Both number ones, St Andrews B's Dave Smith and Littlemoor's John Allan were drawn against each other. Despite having a 25 point deficit to make up, John gave Littlemoor a very promising start with a 170-109 win. I beat Norman Procter by just 20 who fought back well with some excellent individual pot reds, after I had built up a good lead initially. Steve Clark for St Andrews B, also played well and got his team right back into it with a 149-124 win against Graham Tudor. But it was Ralph Allan who came to Littlemoor's rescue with an excellent 132-87 win over Steve Boocock to give the holders the 11 point win.

At Pudsey Congs, in another close affair, the visitors Bradford Deaf Centre came out on top 778-750. On the handicap totals the visitors handicap advantage was a very handy 95 points. Again, the top 2 players Richard Bowes and Jeremy Dixon were drawn together. The scoresheet shows that Richard made three noteworthy breaks of 30, 40 and 38 but a great finish by Jeremy scoring 36 unfinished, ensured the difference between them was 63 (238-175). For Congs, Dave Hirst beat Ian Ford by just more than their handicap difference (153-108). But the Deaf Centre's Ijaz Hussain beat Phil Hirst (154-122) and Brian Robinson beat John Hirst (111-102) to give them the overall win. 

Having won both their matches in Group 2, Littlemoor are now in next April's final. In Group 1, the scenario could now be rather more complicated. If St Andrews A beat Pudsey Congs this coming Thursday, then they will be in the final, by virtue of winning both their matches. 

However, (I hope my calculations are correct here!) for Congs to reach the final, they firstly need to beat the Deaf Centre's total score from their two matches of 1502. So, they need to win and score 753 or more. They also need to beat St Andrews A by 51 or more. If St Andrews A lose by less than the 51, they need to ensure they reach a total score of 702 or more. If St Andrews A equal or beat Bradford Deaf Centre's total of 1502, and don't lose by more than 51, then they will be the other finalists. I just wonder if anyone from the Deaf Centre will be at St Andrews, watching proceedings there?

So, this coming Thursday, on one side of the draw at least, there is still very much to play for. On the other side of the draw, in Group 2, Princeville (total score 762) and St Andrews B (610) are playing for who finishes second to Littlemoor. 

Good luck to all of you playing this coming week.

Dave Howarth

League Secretary