Princeville registered their first whitewash of the season this week at the expense of St Andrews B. After spending around half of the season either at or very close the foot of the table, they are now the team who have the best form in 2025. Their win was enhanced by the fact that St Andrews B were only able to field 3 players, as Steve Clark became ill on his way to the match and returned home. We hope he is now feeling better. Consideration has been given to whether the outstanding game could be played on alternative dates, but St Andrews B have since decided to concede the un-played point to Princeville.

Here is James Butcher's report on the three games played:-

“First up was James (Butcher) v David (Smith) and Keith (Tomlinson) v John Oyston. The top table game got off to a slow burn, with both players picking up points in instalments.  James made the first initiative with a 15 break, with David reciprocating on the following visit. James made the first significant move with a constructed 25 break. David was left very little to go at. The slow, low and residual damp conditions under baize at BD7 made escape shots tricky to execute. Akin to a County Championship game being played in early April. James continued with momentum, playing a more expansive and all-round game. Ranging from strong potting, including one off the cushion, to a few wild Bazilliard Ball flukes. David was thwarted by the rattling jaws of the top pockets. Particularly by the left one, where a shot was played and cued on point, only for the laws of physics to be broken. Only the bell prevented James in reaching 200pts, as the game was closed with an unfinished break of 15.

On the other table Keith gradually caught up with his opponent, although John O did play a few good half ball shots in the early stages. By Keith's own admission, he was below par but got the job done.

Next up was Graham (Bentley) v John (Bedford), as the Horton Bank Top institution went all Crucible Theatre and became a one board venue. Lights were dimmed in absence of a rising partitioned wall. The match started off rather fast, as John scored a double figure break in his first visit and Graham soon reciprocated. Graham enjoyed the better first half, as he built a lead of around 30. John, with his back and cue against the solid stone wall.  Was initially in a period of struggle. The cue balls had a tendency to stick to the cushion, due to the atmospherics. Legend has it that The Borrowers reside under the institute and divert the heating below floor level after 9pm, for their underground cue sports competitions. After a forced error which resulted in a "foul" stroke (although John made a valid point that the aforementioned stroke was practically unavoidable), he started to make a comeback and overturned the deficit to a 16pt lead. It looked like John was about to convert to 200pts and record a win, but Graham B went "Hold my Beer" and out of nowhere ran out with a 24 unfinished break.”

Littlemoor's visit to Windhill Cricket Club didn't start as planned, as the Bradford Deaf boys were expecting them to arrive at around 6:30pm. However, Littlemoor's players had not received the "early start" request and strolled in some 40 minutes later! 

Please note that the official request now from Bradford Deaf is that, whilst they are playing at Windhill CC, that an early start of 6:30pm is requested, due to them having just the one table at their temporary venue. 

Aside from the unfortunate late start, Littlemoor began very brightly with an excellent win by Peter Allan 200-154 over Brian Robinson. Next up, the "home" side pulled one back when Ian Ford beat the visitors super-sub, Sid Ash by 10 (187-177). Then, in a hard fought third game, I managed to continue my unbeaten run with a narrow 9 point win over Ihjaz Hussain, who battled very hard all the way. The last, and top board game, featured regular rivals Jeremy Dixon and John Allan. John's newly shortened cue, also bearing a new tip, did the trick and gave him a fairly comfortable 193-149 win. This sealed an excellent 4-1 away win for Littlemoor, to keep them clear at the top.

At St Andrews, their A team suffered a 5-0 defeat for the first time this season at the hands of Pudsey Congs. Their winners were Richard Bowes (assisted by a 42 break) over Neil Lee. Dave, Phil and John Hirst were also all in good form with all three scoring 200 against Graham Pearson, Gary Rogers and John Rider respectively (191, 154 & 190). (Keep going John Rider - that first league win is just around the corner).

This coming week, Princeville need to find their way to Thackley Old Road (BD18 1DR), St Andrews B (hopefully this week with a full team, and no mishaps on the way!) will face Pudsey Congs and St Andrews A will be calling round to Littlemoor.

By Dave Howarth

League Secretary