This week saw a return to the league competition. One of the outstanding Individual Merit matches was also played, in which Jeremy Dixon beat Neil Lee 200-170.

Up to the end of 2023, the league competition looked to be simply a two-horse race between Pudsey Congs and St Andrews B. Congs, particularly, looked like they would run away with it, especially when they beat St Andrews B 4-1 at the end of November, when that put them 7 points clear. Although they still lead the table, things below them are now beginning to change quite dramatically.

This week, closer to the foot of the table, St Andrews A beat Princeville comfortably, allowing their opponents just half a point. That was a 161 each score between Neil Lee and Princeville's Brian Haigh. In the other 3 games, Nigel Brayshaw beat James Butcher 186-165, Graham Pearson beat John Bedford 199-172 and Gary Rogers overcame Martyn Britton 200-180. That win put St Andrews A six points clear of Princeville who are now looking strong wooden spoon candidates.

***Further update to the above paragraph - I didn't mention above that Neil Lee made a 34 in his game against Brian Haigh. So, as promised Neil, here's the mention. That 34 now replaces his previous  highest break this season, which was a 24 and is a new entry on the highest breaks table. Well done to Neil***

At Congs, the home team suffered a rare 3-2 defeat to Bradford Deaf Centre. Richard Bowes (with breaks of 52,54 and 66) made the following comments on the match on our Facebook page:-

"Things didn’t look good for us early doors as I managed only 22 points in the first 20 minutes until I made the first 50 when already 150 behind. Jeremy (Dixon) went into his shell and started trying to protect his lead which allowed me some leeway and I managed to get in my stride. Perhaps the defining moment of the fixture came at the end of the second game when Brian (Robinson) (against Phil Hirst), needing 18 and on 11, attempted a double baulk but went in off leaving the red over the middle pocket for a regulation 6 shot to run out. Mick (Hirst) and Ihjaz (Hussain) then played out a grim game in which neither of them had clear cut scoring opportunities (I counted only five chances for Mick) and both recorded a high break of only 18. John (Hirst) got off to a flyer against Ian (Ford) establishing a lead of around 40 but this was chipped away and they entered the last street neck and neck where John once again got in front by a handful but just shy of gaining us the aggregate point."

So, two and a half points is now just the difference between Congs and Deaf Centre, but Congs do have a match in hand on them.

Finally, at Littlemoor, the home team have had a good run of wins in 2024. They followed up again this week, with a 3-2 win over now third placed St Andrews B. First up were Littlemoor's John Allan and Graham Tudor against Dave Smith and Norman Procter respectively. A lot of Littlemoor's improvement in recent weeks coincides with Graham's recent good form. He beat Norman comfortably 200-155. John made a very well worked 35 break in his 191-156 win over Dave. Next up, Littlemoor's Ralph Allan and Dave Howarth faced the two Steve's Boocock and Clark respectively. Steve B raced away from Ralph and got between 40 and 50 in front at one stage. However, Ralph staged a good fight back, but at the bell he was just 4 short 199-195. That was only a second defeat for Ralph this season and both have been against St Andrews B. In the other game Steve C and I had a rather more "nip and tuck effort" in which Steve had the best of the running at the crucial stage to beat me 191-179. Thanks to Graham's big win, Littlemoor claimed the aggregate point. That defeat for St Andrews B now leaves them 4 points adrift of Congs and a point and a half behind the Deaf Centre. The postponed match between Congs and St Andrews B, from the other week, still needs to be re-arranged. We have been (and are still are!) working on getting that one played at the earliest opportunity.

This coming week, there's another interesting derby at St Andrews, Littlemoor will visit Congs; and in Bradford, Princeville will be calling at the Deaf Centre.

The Players Table is now up to date.

David Howarth

League Secretary