Despite more line-up changes, Littlemoor remain unbeaten this season. This week they were at Bradford Deaf Centre and arguably were in their most difficult challenge so far. First up were Jeremy Dixon and Littlemoor's Ralph Allan and on the other table were the Deaf Centre's Ian Ford against Sid Ash. Receiving 60 start from Jeremy, Ralph played well, to ensure the start he received was more or less maintained and ended up winning by a comfortable 41 points. On the other table, and off the same handicaps, last season's Individual Merit winner, Ian Ford ,was into his stride early and once in the lead was never headed. He ensured that the Deaf Centre were still very much in it with a 40 point win. So, with matters just about level at the break, this made for a very competitive second half. Home players Brian Robinson and Ijaz Hussain took on Littlemoor's Graham Tudor and Dave Howarth respectively. Conceding just 10 to Graham, Brian was soon dominating proceedings and this continued right through to 3 minutes before the bell, when he reached 200 with Graham well behind on 128. On the other table, it took Dave 3 or 4 visits to get into his stride, but once there, it was mostly one way traffic, with Ijaz having very little to go at. Knowing that Graham was struggling on the other table, Dave was spurred into taking full advantage of his own opponent's poor luck. With plenty of good running he was 200-114 up with a good 7 or 8 minutes still left on the clock. So, 3-2 to the visitors, with just 15 points separating the teams for the aggregate point.

At Princeville the home team were looking to secure a second win of the season. Here is James Butcher's match report of how that went...

A much changed lined up due to important meetings with corporate bosses and a double booking in the calendar. 

First up was the top two players (James v Dave) and (Steve G v John). 

It was a slow burn on the far table, as someone put one of the heaters on defrost mode. Dave took first initiative and began to accumulate points, even getting out of double baulks with a scoring shot. James looked off the pace and Dave had the opportunity to build a commanding lead. But uncharacteristic misses from Dave, probably owing to the cold air and lukewarm table, followed.  James found his way into the game with a leave and manoeuvred the balls for a 24 break. The deficit reduced from a peak of about 45 to 20. It was a case of who could find another gear in the 2nd half.  Dave momentarily replenished his lead, but James got back on the table and added a further 20 break to get in parity.  From there, Dave's scoring opportunities dried up whilst James continued momentum built a lead in the final minutes.

On the other table, John continued his good form on Tuesday, who soon reduced his deficit and built a lead approaching 30 against Steve G. During the 2nd half, Steve got into the game and reduced the deficit to single figures. The game got to the famous 190s and it looked interesting, but father time decided to halt proceedings. A good effort by Steve, after being elevated to 2nd board. 

Next up was Edward v Steve B and Keith v Steve C. Steve B started brightly against Edward and did not take long to get in front. Edward was left little to go at, with foul strokes creeping in. Steve B gradually built his lead further, whilst trying to find gears, but the far table quirks tamed any significant power scoring. Despite the balls opening up more for Edward, he could not get into any momentum and Steve B reached to 200 with several minutes left. 

On the other table. Steve C soon got into his stride, but Keith kept tabs and both players were near level on 160. But Steve C found another scoring run and then onto 200, leaving Keith stranded.

A not so good night for Princeville, that could have been worse.

Thanks for that James. 

At St Andrews, their A team welcomed regular league title holders, Pudsey Congs. I'm unaware of the order of play, but the scoresheet shows a comfortable 4-1 win for the visitors. I presume the first game will have been Neil Lee against Congs Richard Bowes. That one finished 200-131 to Richard. The scoresheet showing just the one high break of 33 from Richard. Congs Dave Hirst beat Graham Pearson 200-140 and John Hirst beat St Andrews A's John Oyston 200-167. The only winner for the home side was Gary Rogers, over Phil Hirst 200-175. Well done to all four winners on reaching the 200 before the 50 minute bell!

This coming Thursday, league leaders Littlemoor will be back at home to St Andrews A. There'll be a battle for second, or possibly even top spot, at Congs when St Andrews B will be making their way to School Street and at the Deaf Centre there'll be an all Bradford affair when Princeville will be making a shorter journey.

I will try to update the Players Table page between now and next Sunday in the coming days.

David Howarth

League Secretary