The Team Knockout competition went into it's second week on Thursday. St Andrews A were at Pudsey Congs; and after losing last week at home to Princeville, they were in a 'must win' situation if they were to stay in the competition. I have no match report to go on and no Facebook comments either, so I am not 100% sure whether the new rules were applied - i.e. that who plays whom should be decided by drawing names from a hat... I could be wrong, but it looks to me, from who actually played against each other, that the new rule wasn't followed! Maybe, I am putting two and two together and making twenty five!? 

(LATER FOOTNOTE - I am assured by Dave Hirst that there was a draw out as to who was to play whom, but that, incredibly, the names were drawn out in (just about) handicap order... my suspicions were, therefore, completely unfounded!) 

Anyhow, St Andrews A had a massive 290 point advantage on the respective total handicap differences, mostly skewed by the fact that Richard Bowes starts on minus 90. Despite giving Neil Lee a 180 point start, he managed to win by 213 (283-70) and included a 57 break in that win. Dave Hirst also won for Congs against Nigel Brayshaw 175-90 (conceding just 40); Phil Hirst also won for Congs against Gary Rogers 177-103 (conceded just 30). John Hirst was Congs final "winner" over John Rider 129-93 (but as John R receives 40 on their handicap difference, he was St Andrews A's only 'net' winner of the evening). So, the end match result was a convincing home win 879-761 to Pudsey Congs. 

At Littlemoor the Deaf Centre were also in a 'must win' scenario (the new rule was definitely followed here!). Home man Ralph Allan was drawn out against his "regular" Deaf Centre opponent Ian Ford and Sid Ash (substituting for Graham Tudor) was drawn against the Deaf Centre's number one, Jeremy Dixon. Ralph did well, scoring at most of his visits and beat Ian by 109 (178-69) despite conceding just 25. On the other table, Sid was receiving 85 on the handicap difference from Jeremy... who started well and continued in that vein, but he couldn't quite establish a big enough lead to make enough of a difference, That one finished 153-61 to Jeremy, so Sid did very well to keep Jeremy's net win down to just 7. So, going into the next two games, Littlemoor had the advantage... Home man, John Allan was drawn against Ihjaz Hussain and Dave Howarth was drawn against Graham Lambert (subbing for Deaf Centre's Brian Robinson). John and Ihjaz had their usual close encounter, which finished 138-127 to John, but conceding 30 to Ihjaz on the handicaps, this resulted in a net win for the Deaf Centre man by 19. On the other table, I was aware that the scores were just about levels for most of the way between John and Ihjaz; and also conceding 40 points to Graham on our handicap difference, I knew I had to win by at least more than 40 (hopefully more). I must admit, I had some good running at times and so ended up winning by 113. I have to say as well that Graham was quite unlucky at times, often with nothing much to go at. So, it finished a convincing 809-678 to Littlemoor to keep us in the competition we have won for the last two seasons!

This coming Thursday, we effectively have two semi-finals, with all four teams needing a win to qualify for the final. St Andrews B have home advantage against Littlemoor and Pudsey Congs will travel to Princeville. Good luck to all involved.

By David Howarth

League Secretary