Apologies for the late round-up of this week's action. I have been very busy with quite a few things and just didn't find the time to do this write-up. Hopefully, you will have seen that I have updated the Fixtures & Results and League Table pages. I have also brought the highest breaks so far up to date. That is showing below the League Table.

As you will have seen from the results, holders Pudsey Congs got back to winning ways with a 4-1 home win over the Deaf Centre. Despite losing 173-139, Jeremy Dixon still managed the highest break of the evening with a 43, and in fact that is the highest break so far this season in the top category. Richard though recorded 4 breaks into the thirties, which were enough to win him the game. John and Phil Hirst also won for Congs. The only winner for the Deaf Centre was Ijaz Hussain by a close looking 192-185 over Dave Hirst.

Taking advantage of the encouragement to get matches played early should there be foreseen player shortages, St Andrews A & B played their first derby match of the season last Monday. The A team registered their first win of the season by 4-1. Neil Lee, Nigel Brayshaw and Gary Rogers were their winners, over Steve Boocock, Steve Clark and Norman Procter. The B team's winner was their newbie John Bedford.

Early leaders, Littlemoor visited Princeville and with a changed side, still won quite comfortably, again by 4-1. In the absence of John Allan and Dave Howarth, Graham Tudor made a welcome return and Sid Ash made his Pudsey League debut. It was a winning debut for Sid also. James Butcher has sent me the following match report:-

Attached is the scorecard between Princeville and Littlemoor in what was a night of thrills. 

First up was the two captains and Keith v Sid. From a casual observation, Sid didn't take long to get in front and often kept his lead between 20 and 40.  Keith did enjoy some table time, but lacked a consistent rhythm and Sid was up with a few minutes to spare. 

On the other table, it took 5 minutes for the first scoring shot to be registered, largely with the balls falling in no mans land. Ralph made the first initiative and extended his lead to 70pts.  Soon James was granted an opportunity to spend time at the table and reduce the deficit with a 22 break.  Ralph's opportunities became very limited, whilst James had momentum and constructed another 30 break to get within parity and gain a 3 to 4 scoring shot lead.

Ralph made full opportunity of scoring shots in the final 10 minutes, whereas James lacked the requires precision when it mattered.  It was anyone's game right until the final seconds, but Ralph was on the table at the right time.

Next up was Peter v Martin and Ian v Graham. It did not take long for Peter to reduce his deficit and even gained a lead towards 20pts.  But Martin kept tabs and grew into the game, eventually regaining the lead and led by a handful on the final furlong.  However Peter finished the game with a bona fide exhibition shot. 

On the other table, Graham was first off the blocks and often led.  But Ian made good use of opportunities when they presented itself to keep in parity and sometimes enjoy a couple of shot led.Graham was on the foot front in the final minutes and led by 15pts with 92 seconds to go, but left Ian with a regulation in off red and the yellow ball in play. Ian worked his way back into the play, clinching a crucial link up cannon at 7pts and another one at 13pts. He ran out with a 19 break to keep the whitewash firmly in the storage cupboard. 

Thanks for that James. This coming Thursday (unless something early is already arranged!) Congs will visit St Andrews A, Princeville will be at home to St Andrews B and at the Deaf Centre, it will be bottom against top (Littlemoor).

David Howarth

League Secretary