All three matches this week were very eventful and all three finished 5-1. At St Andrews, in their second derby of the season, the A team brought forward a small 14 point lead after a narrow 3-2 win from the beginning of October. Last week's surprise 3-3 draw against Princeville was preceded by all wins this season... and this week their (slight) decline continued, with a defeat to their table topping stablemates. St Andrews B were at full strength and took full advantage with Dave Smith leading the way with a big 200-117 win over Graham Pearson, almost singly putting to bed the bonus point. Steve Boocock and Steve Clark for the B team had closer wins by 5 and 17 against Nigel Brayshaw and reserve, John Oyston. Neil Lee wasn't far away from rescuing the bonus point for the A team though with a massive 200-110 win against previous Players Table leader, John Bedford. It therefore ended up with the bonus point going narrowly to the B team by just 3 points! Neil Lee's big win also carried him to the top of the Players Table, so very well done to him.

At Pudsey Congs, the B team dominated, with their skipper Mick Hirst somehow negating Richard Bowes previous big break exploits this season to a 147-54 result. Richard's Facebook comment reads "We didn't travel well to the away venue. Canny tactical play from Mick kept me comprehensively shut out." There was also a big 200-123 win for the B team's Roy Denson. Sid Ash also had a good win over the A team's Phil Hirst by 27. John Hirst managed the sole point for Congs A with a good 200-156 win over reserve Colin Nelthorpe.

At Littlemoor the home team faced this season's equally inconsistent Bradford Deaf. There were wins for the Deaf Centre's Ihjaz Hussain, Brian Robinson and a big win for Ian Ford by 200-157 over an overwhelmed Dave Howarth! Littlemoor's only winner was a determined John Allan with a 30 point win over Jeremy Dixon.

So, after those three 5-1's it leaves St Andrews B in a very strong position, now 7 and a half points clear of Pudsey Congs B. This coming week, the leaders will face bottom of the table Princeville, who have shown they are quite able to spring a surprise here and there. Littlemoor will host St Andrews A and Pudsey Congs B will be at the Deaf Centre. Pudsey Congs A will take their turn to sit out.

Please note that the next league meeting will be on the 19th December and the outstanding Individual Merit and Pairs matches still need to be played prior to that. Before that, the pre-Christmas get-together at Wetherspoons in Pudsey is fast approaching and is scheduled for Wednesday the 17th December with a 4pm start. It will be great to see everyone who can make it.

By Dave Howarth

League Secretary

Footnote - in a nip and tuck affair that lasted only about 45 minutes, Phil Hirst beat Peter Allan on Friday at Littlemoor 200-197 in the Individual Merit. It could have gone either way... but well done to Phil who held his nerve slightly better at the end.