Just when it appeared that the league title was now between the top two or three teams; we have just had a set of Thursday results that possibly contradict that opinion. In a week where, based on previous results and points differences, the top three teams ought to have beaten the bottom three; the complete reverse actually happened...

At St Andrews, the A team faced the B team. St Andrews B are still strong title contenders and sit second. Last week they were a full thirteen and a half points clear of their stablemates. I'm not sure what the playing order was but I suspect that the first game will have been Dave Smith against the A team skipper Neil Lee. That went to "league form" with Dave winning 198-187. The next game will probably have been Graham Pearson against the B team's Norman Procter. That resulted in a huge win for Graham 200-140. That looks to have been followed by another big one for the A team when Gary Rogers beat Steve Clark 200-159. But then Steve Boocock replied with another big win (but this time for the B team) with a 200-144 win over Nigel Brayshaw. Gary Rogers' Facebook comment when posting the scoresheet says they've "Got to slow down. In Wetherspoons for 9:10pm. Three games left with 20 minutes on the clock". All I will say in response to that is "Food for thought?" 

At Princeville it was last week's 5th against 3rd placed Bradford Deaf Centre, but 9 points was the difference between them. My thanks go to James Butcher for sending me the following...

"First up was myself v Jeremy (Dixon) and Keith (Tomlinson) v Ian (Ford). The top board game got off to an open start. Jeremy initiated the first scoring by stringing a few shots together.  I responded to restore the handicap difference. Jeremy was looking promising after playing some good individual shots to reduce the handicap deficit. But an unforced error or balls straying off their intended position was never far away. The game slowed down in the middle stages as cautious play came to the fore. Neither player wanting to open the game up too much. I was content with the odd cue ball pots and double baulk play, in an attempt to speed my own game up. I gradually restored the handicap difference towards the latter stages and strung some scoring runs together to advanced my lead. However, Jeremy still kept himself in the game and had two game changing teen breaks in the final minutes to reduce a 40pt deficit. He grouped the balls well in an attempt to win by the barest of margins. However, the changing of gear from balls in hand to potting at top of the table turned out to be one adjustment too many. The break ended at 14 and the bell went. An exciting end. Who knows what would have happened with another five minutes to play with?  (145-139 to James)

On the other table, Ian soon got into the lead and did not look back. Although Keith reported he did catch up with Ian. (200-168 to Ian)

Next up was John (Bedford) v Ijhaz (Hussain), plus an interesting battle between Martin (Britton) and Graham (Lambert). Graham got himself into the lead, but Martin recovered from a slow start and built some scoring momentum in the second half to be on top. (194-179 to Martin)

John and Ijhaz started brightly, with the latter taking an early lead with some controlled stroke play and fluid cueing action. However, John responded with a well constructed 22 break to regain the lead. A vital break as Ijhaz had little to go at. John's lead was heading north of 30pts in the second half and an aggregate point was looking promising for Princeville, combined with Martins double figure point lead. The aggregate point was far from settled as both Ijhaz and Graham were in possession in the final minute. Having both time and ball position to score enough points. (168-138 to John). But, Princeville registered all 3pts in the second half to win 4-1."

At Littlemoor the gulf between table topping Congs and their hosts was 18 and a half points. Without talisman Richard Bowes though, could this cause them some imbalance? First up was Littlemoor's Graham Tudor against Dave Hirst and on the top table it was Congs Mick Hirst against John Allan. As I was refereeing Mick and John I didn't see Graham's game. However, I am advised that Graham played "much better this week" and took advantage of Dave's "unfamiliarity" with the table to win 194-171. On the top table John pegged back the handicap difference of 15 quite early on, but didn't really take a clear lead. Both scored occasional double figure breaks, but it was clear they wouldn't beat the clock. A 23 break from John was the highlight of the game and was enough to give John a 156-133 win. So, a great start for 'the basement dwellers'. 

That confident start for Littlemoor must have rubbed off on Ralph Allan and Dave Howarth as both started quite well. I didn't see Ralph's game as I was playing on the other table, but I believe both him and Phil Hirst were nip and tuck for a good way. However, Ralph probably then had the better running during the latter period and ran out a 200-169 winner with a good 8 minutes or so left. On the other table I was able to peg back the 15 point handicap deficit against John Hirst quite quickly. Despite my poor form this season, I played with a bit more confidence, following wins from team-mates Graham and John. I was able to establish a lead which reached 20-30 plus at one stage. But, my opponent, who won last season's Players Table and is also second in the same table this season, clearly doesn't give up. John took full advantage of a change in the running and although I was still in front at the point Ralph had won, John managed to pip me to the post 200-189 and just saved Congs from a 5-0 defeat!

Although all three bottom teams won, it hasn't changed the table that much. Congs still lead, but now by just one point from St Andrews B. Bradford Deaf Centre's gap from the top is still the same as it was last week, but the other 3 below them have closed the gap on them just a little more. This coming week, we have another 'top 3 versus bottom 3' scenario with Congs taking on St Andrews A, Princeville will be visiting St Andrews B and Littlemoor are at home to Bradford Deaf Centre. After the week just gone, I wouldn't want to try predict the result of any of those three now.

After playing our match against Congs, Ralph Allan and I played our Individual Merit prelim round match. Although we are equal on handicaps, it was Ralph who, early on, was confirming the chasm between us in the Players Table. He was soon 20, 30 and later on 40+ in front. But, with no clock running, I was thinking "just bide your time and dig in". That positivity paid off, and I was able to gradually and eventually reduce the lead. In fact around the 165 mark, I (briefly) took the lead, but by just the one point. It was nip and tuck for a while with both of us nervously missing scoring opportunities that we would probably have got only minutes earlier. Ralph then regained some of the confidence that seemed to be ebbing away, and he sneaked home by 200-190. Good luck to him for the next round.

The Players Table is now up to date.

Please note that the next League Meeting will take place at St Andrews on Friday the 26th January at 7:30pm. We will be drawing the next rounds of the Individual Merit and Pairs competitions. I can see that there is just the one Pairs match to play from the preliminary rounds, and I am advised that will be played "soon".

David Howarth

League Secretary