Apologies for this much later round-up of the week's results, but as I get older, somehow my weekends are getting busier! The eagle-eyed ones amongst you will have noticed that I had already updated the results, league table and players table earlier this morning.

This week was the second week of return fixtures and, as it turned out, all 3 teams who brought forward their aggregate point wins from week 2, managed to win the bonus point. However, not all of those three came out the overall match winner.

Pudsey Congs took a substantial 91 point lead with them to Bradford Deaf Centre, and so would need a disaster (by their high standards) to lose the bonus. It very nearly was a disaster for them though, as Phil Hirst lost by 27 to Ian Ford and Dave Hirst lost by a huge 87 to Jeremy Dixon. Then John Hirst lost to Brian Robinson, but by just 3. Richard Bowes, on the other hand, rescued the bonus point with a comfortable 58 point win over Ihjaz Hussain. Richard commented on the Facebook page "All our first leg advantage was lost in the first two games (David and Phil) leaving John and I to recover the points. John's game looked level every time I looked across." Richard's win was made up with breaks of 36, 38 and (another highest break of the season) 88. Having said all that, it was an excellent 4-2 home win for the Deaf Centre and ensuring they remained in second place in the league table... not bad, considering that in weeks 2 and 3 they were rock bottom.

At St Andrews, the derby went the way of the A team with a thumping 5-1 win. They had a 39 point advantage from week 2 and made certain that they didn't let that slip. I am guessing that the first game will have been between the A team's new recruit John Rider and Norman Procter. It was Norman who finished 191-167 on top in that one; but then Neil Lee pulled one back for the A team in beating Dave Smith 185-175. But following that there were two further good wins for the 'A quartet' when Nigel Brayshaw beat Steve Clark 200-183 and then Graham Pearson had a big win by 200-138 over John Bedford... John commented on Facebook "Great performance by Graham. Never gave me a chance. Well done!" ... The sort of comment we have become used to from a very good sportsman... who is always generous in defeat. That very good win by St Andrews A didn't just lift them off the foot of the table,,, it catapulted them up to third. 

Littlemoor continued with the good form that has seen them top the league all season. Princeville were looking to turn round a 24 point deficit against them from week 2. Dave Howarth put Littlemoor's talisman, John Allan in to bat first against James Butcher and on the other table, it was Princeville's Keith Tomlinson against Graham Tudor. I didn't see much of Graham and Keith's game, but it looked like once Graham drew level at around half way, he struggled a bit to get a decent lead. However, he came out on top with a handy 168-157 win. In the game between John and James, it was pretty scrappy considering it was a top board game. Neither player seemed to get the hang of what is becoming a notoriously difficult table, but it was John who had most of the good running and although James did start what looked like a dangerous fight back, it was John who got some more of the running close to the bell, and he was 159-124 in front as the bell ended proceedings. 

Next up for Littlemoor were two of their three players who still have a one hundred per cent record this season. Ralph Allan was pitched in against the experienced Graham Bentley and Dave Howarth was up against Princeville's second season newbie, Martyn Britton. I'm advised that Ralph and Graham B's game was nip and tuck for a lot of the way, but that Ralph had a good chance to win close to the finish. But Graham held on to win by 178-166 at the bell, to bring Ralph's excellent run of 4 wins to an end. In my game, I got off to my usual slow start and was soon over 40 behind against Martyn, who is showing clear signs of making into a good player for Princeville. I was struggling to get much going at all for a long way and had just about resigned myself to a first defeat this season, when I started a break that was helped along by one fluke, followed by another outrageous one, and then coupled with some handy running in terms of position mixed in with a couple of decent shots, I ran out with a 29; which left Martyn stranded on 185... I can't believe the luck I have had so far this season, after last season's debacle!

So, Littlemoor extended their lead at the top from three to four points, but this Thursday they will face a resurgent Bradford Deaf Centre, who are looking at an "easily gettable" 15 points to retrieve the bonus. Pudsey Congs are at home to St Andrews A and sit on a very handy +137 from week 3 and Princeville are back in Pudsey, but this time will be on Robin Lane at St Andrews B and will be trying to turn around the 55 points deficit from week 3. Good luck to all.

Please also note that the next League meeting will be this coming Friday at St Andrews at 7:30pm.

David Howarth

League Secretary