Sorry for this delayed round-up, I'm currently a bit under the weather with a heavy cold! ... And a happy New Year to everyone.

There were two Individual Merit and two Pairs matches played this week. At Princeville, the winners of this comp in 2022 and 2023, Stephen Kershaw and Edward Lawson beat the father and son combo of John & Phil Hirst.  The scores posted to Facebook by Stephen were EL 201, JH 198 (so a very close one) and then SK 400, PH 387 (not quite as close, but only 13 difference over the two games suggest it was very competitive).

At St Andrews, I attended and refereed the Individual Merit match between the 2017 winner of this comp, Graham Pearson, and Sid "I'm happy travelling anywhere for a game of billiards" Ash. Graham, conceding 20 on the handicap, was soon into his stride and had caught up and passed Sid before he had even troubled the scorer. A strong and confident lead was soon established by Graham and although Sid battled gamely right to the bitter end, it was Graham who finished on top 200-172. The highlight for Graham was a very well crafted break of 30. Two runs in the teens got Sid a bit closer near the end, but the bird had already flown.

I then had to leave early (Grandad duties) and so didn't see the Pairs match in which Neil Lee and Nigel Brayshaw, beat the other pairing from St Andrews , John Bedford and Steve Clark. I don't have the scores but Neil tells me "the game was a bit nip and tuck for most of the way", but that him and Nigel just "got away at the end". 

At Pudsey Congs, in the Individual Merit, Ihjaz Hussain gave up his home advantage against Richard Bowes (more on the reason for that later in the piece). Richard (conceding 150) won that 200-178, making breaks of 43,51, 30 and 36 in the process. Richard's Facebook comment reads "A competitive game. I got within 40 or so at 140-100 when Ihjaz had consecutive 17's leaving me 80ish adrift and not minding if I lost as I'd dredged up some steady play to get where I had. The two 30's put us around level about 165 when it became a scramble for the line. Ihjaz fluked an in off white which I hoped would not be the deciding event but failed to capitalise. I then got in with a chance but broke down although a fluked double baulk meant I came back to the table needing only 12 but only made 9. A miss next shot by Ihjaz left me a difficult screw in off which won the game."

With regards the Deaf Centre venue, there is currently a lot of building repair work underway. Ian Ford sent me some photos and the whole place looks like a building site and so it's completely closed. I am advised it's out of action totally until February at the earliest. However, a temporary venue has been secured by Ian at Windhill Cricket Club, where (I am told) there is only the one table. But that should be okay for us in the Pudsey League. I have been working with Stephen Kershaw in the last 24 hours to see what can be put in place for their Bradford League matches (2 tables are required in the Bradford League). I have advised St Andrews B of their venue change from this coming Thursday the 9th Jan and will keep you all posted on here about any future home matches featuring the Deaf Centre going forward.

So, in addition to the aforementioned match at Windhill CC, league leaders Littlemoor are at home in what could be a crucial match against Pudsey Congs and St Andrews A will entertain Princeville.

Additional information - please note that as we are now in the third phase of the league programme, there is NO bonus point being played for. The bonus point will kick in again when we get into phase four (from the 27th February).

By David Howarth

League Secretary