Following the weather enforced break last week, we returned to league action on Thursday. Before the break for Christmas and then last week's hiatus, St Andrews A and Princeville were in 5th and 6th respectively, with Princeville trailing by 3 points. However, the Great Horton Road outfit started the New Year with a bang, defeating their hosts by 4.5 to 0.5. There was a big win from James Butcher (by 200-127 over Graham Pearson), Graham Bentley's was closer 200-190 over Nigel Brayshaw and Keith Tomlinson won 195-166 against Gary Rogers. St Andrews A's skipper Neil Lee shared the point with Brian Haigh, as both were level on 180 at the bell. That comfy win for Princeville actually lifted them off the bottom at the expense of their opponents.

At Bradford Deaf Centre's temporary venue, Windhill Cricket Club, the hosts also had a handsome win. BDC's Jeremy Dixon had runs of 21 and 27 in his 169-136 win over Dave Smith. Ihjaz Hussain beat John Bedford 200-151 and Ian Ford had a good 200-178 win over St Andrews B's reserve John Oyston. Steve Clark saved the visitors blushes with a comfortable looking 200-163 win over Brian Robinson. That win for the Deaf Centre confirmed their second spot in the league table. John Bedford's comment on Facebook read "Great fun at the cricket club. The bingo caller was most inventive"... I'm looking forward to visiting there again at the end of this month... the last time I was there I was on the field in my whites!

At Littlemoor, the hosts got off to the best possible start against nearest rivals Pudsey Congs; with Graham Tudor finding some good form for the New Year, beating Phil Hirst 189-173. On the other table, my current (Pudsey League) good fortune continued against Congs John Hirst... I was on a run of 20 on a second visit to the table, then after 2 consecutive flukes I managed to keep the break going on to a decent 36. John certainly didn't give up though, as he hit back with a nicely worked 20. However, being left with a "start" at most visits, I managed to clock up the 200 with a good 7 minutes to spare. Following that, Pudsey Congs, fought back really well. Mick Hirst had a nip and tuck battle with John Allan and pipped him at the post by 148-146 and, on the other table, Dave Hirst got the better of Ralph Allan 166-160. So, that 3-2 win kept Littlemoor at the top, but with the Deaf Centre scoring 4 this week they reduced the gap to 6 points. 

This coming week there's a derby at St Andrews, Congs will host the Deaf Centre and Littlemoor will make the trek to Princeville.

The last Pairs Prelim Round match was also completed this week when Brian Robinson and Ihjaz Hussain beat St Andrews two John's (Rider and Oyston) 400-322.

Please also note that we have a League Meeting at St Andrews this coming Friday the 24th January at St Andrews with a 7:30 start. We will be drawing the next round of the Individual Merit and Pairs, to be played on the 20th and 27th February.

By David Howarth

League Secretary