At the half-way stage in the league season, St Andrews B now look even stronger favourites for the league title. This week they defeated their nearest rivals Pudsey Congs B, and this was despite the fact they were without their top-board player, David Smith. The scoresheet shows that John Bedford played top and had a big win over last week's Players Table leader, Mick Hirst (178-129). Steve Boocock did similar for St Andrews B with a 196-150 win over Trevor Smith. But Roy Denson and Sid Ash restored some pride for Congs B with wins over Steve Clark and John Oyston respectively. St Andrews B will be pleased with that 4-2 win which takes them now five and a half points clear.

At Pudsey Congs, their A team have had an in and out first half of the season and haven't been able to string more than two successive wins together. However, this week they had a comfortable looking 5-1 win over St Andrews A with wins for Dave Hirst, Richard Bowes and Phil Hirst. Richard looks to be recovering well from his recent illness, recording breaks of 56, 36, 48 and 31. Regular reserve John Rider saved the blushes for St Andrews A with a strong 200-170 win.

In the basement battle at Princeville, the home team were strengthened with the inclusion of Stephen Kershaw in their line-up. He certainly did the business over an out of sorts John Allan (176-112) and included a break of 33 in the process. It was a similar situation on the near table with Graham Bentley beating Littlemoor's Graham Tudor 200-169 with a good 5 minutes to spare. So, 2-0 at the tea-break meant Littlemoor were staring down the barrel a little bit. However, both Ralph Allan and Dave Howarth started brightly against Princeville's James Butcher and Steve Gatenby. Ralph increased on his 45 point handicap advantage and Dave quickly got the 20 back that he conceded and took a lead of around 30 with a break of 22. So, all was looking well for the visitors until the running changed for them both. James and Steve gradually worked hard to reduce their deficits... James took the lead with a fair bit of time left, but Steve still looked like losing, needing 6 with Dave stuck on 198. A nervy finish saw Steve and I both missing easy looking chances, until Steve sneaked past me to win 200-198. James was already 184-162 in front of Ralph at the bell to record a 6-0 whitewash for Princeville and drag themselves off the bottom (at Littlemoor's expense!).

At the league meeting on Friday, we drew the next rounds of the  Individual Merit and Pairs. They can be seen on the appropriate page. We also reviewed the players with asterisks against their handicaps, that have played 6 games or more. Sid Ash's handicap was reduced from 90 to 80. Roy Denson was left on 75. Colin Nelthorpe was amended from 100 to 105 and Trevor Smith's was increased from 45 to 50.

That's it now from me until 2026... And so, on behalf of the League Committee, we would like to wish you all a merry Christmas and a very happy New Year.

By Dave Howarth

League Secretary

Just the two matches were played last Thursday... the Bradford Deaf v Princeville match was postponed, due to a number of players being unavailable. We have known about this problem for sometime and so James Butcher and I have been working on re-arrangements to get the match completed as soon as possible. I have been advised that two legs from the match are being played this evening (Tuesday). The other two will be played soon.

The top two teams were both in action though on Thursday... Leaders St Andrews B were at Congs A and second placed Congs B were at St Andrews A. With Littlemoor taking their turn to sit out, I went along to School Street, by which time St Andrews B were already 1 up. Dave Smith had beaten Richard Bowes 156-132. On my arrival Dave Hirst and St Andrews' John Bedford were about half way through. John was about 40 or more in front and looked like being a comfortable winner. However, Dave fought back very well as the time ticked away... but fortunately for John, he just hung on to win 185-182. Congs Phil Hirst then took on Steve Boocock. It was Steve who dominated in this one, taking full advantage of some good running, plus showing why he has been close to the top of the Players Table for most of the season. A comfortable 200-152 to Steve was the result in that one. So, with John Hirst to play, Congs A were facing at a whitewash. John's opponent was Steve Clark, who has done well so far this season, getting himself in the top 10 of the Players Table. John fought hard though and despite Clarky speeding round the table as usual, John held his nerve to secure a point for Congs A with a 200-170 win. St Andrews B would surely have settled for the 5-1 win though, if offered it before the match.

At St Andrews, their A team faced Congs B, who are contesting hard for the title with St Andrews B. I still don't have the official scoresheet from that one, but thanks to Mick Hirst, I now have a copy of individual scores. It shows that St Andrews Neil Lee had a close one with Roy Denson, who won 188-180.Trevor Smith made it 2 points for Congs B defeating Graham Pearson 175-161. Sid Ash made it three for the visitors with a 42 point win over Nigel Brayshaw (200-148). John Rider though slightly bettered that for St Andrews A with a 200-145 win over Colin Nelthorpe. St Andrews A had a 37 point lead from their corresponding match in October, and so John's big win over Colin ensured the bonus point stayed with the home team. 4-2 to Congs B looks a good result for the visitors.

So, that leaves St Andrews B now three and a half points clear at the top, with Congs B their nearest pursuers and the remaining five trailing by 11 points and more... As we are approach the half-way point, it's now looking like a 2 horse race... Can anyone make a serious challenge to the top two?

This Thursday, will see the them face each other at St Andrews... Could it be the defining match of the season? St Andrews B won their previous encounter at the end of October, but have only a slender 15 point lead for the bonus point. Littlemoor travel to Princeville and St Andrews A will be visiting Pudsey Congs A.

If you're reading this on Wednesday, and will be at a loose end this tea-time, why not call to Wetherspoons in Pudsey? There'll be a good few of us there for our pre-Christmas get-together from 4pm. There'll be plenty of the usual banter over a few drinks and possibly some grub from the bar,

In a busy week for a lot of us, the next League Meeting will also be at St Andrews on Friday the 19th December 2025 with a 7:30pm start.

By Dave Howarth

League Secretary

As no scorecard has been provided to me from the St Andrews A v Pudsey Congs B match this week, I am unable to make any update to the website.

Dave Howarth

League Secretary

St Andrews B took their turn to sit this week out and knew that their position at the top would still be safe, no matter what their nearest pursuers, Pudsey Congs B did. The latter though, were very determined to keep the pressure on, and clinched a massive 6-0 win against lowly Littlemoor. Mick Hirst led the way with a good win over John Allan and the rest of his team, comprising this week of Paul Holt, Roy Denson and Sid Ash all did the business. Sid increased his Category 3 highest break from 24 to 28 and this was despite a 21 from yours truly. Sid's 28 was the highest break of the evening. Paul also made some cracking pots against Ralph Allan registering a 23 in the process and Roy was just as composed when defeating Graham Tudor. 

At St Andrews, the A team, who were in a comfortable top spot only a few weeks ago, let things slip again with a surprise 2-4 home defeat to Bradford Deaf, who were without Brian Robinson. Jeremy Dixon had a convincing 200-158 win over Graham Pearson and although Ihjaz Hussain and Ian Ford just lost out to Neil Lee and Nigel Brayshaw by 4pts and an agonising 1pt; John Rider (playing against his own team, but acting as reserve) had a huge 200-124 win over Gary Rogers to claim not only the win point and the aggregate point, but also the bonus point to boot... St Andrews A were 57 points in front from their corresponding match in Week 5, but John's big win secured a 4-2 win for the visitors... amazing (and possibly controversial) stuff!

Pudsey Congs A visited Princeville and despite also suffering from a few banana skins this season, they still managed a convincing 5-1 win. Phil Hirst beat Gareth Kershaw 197-181 and Dave Hirst beat Graham Bentley by just 2 (182-180) and although Princeville's Steve Gatenby beat John Hirst by 51 (200-149) the biggest win of the night was from Congs A's Richard Bowes with a 169-87 win over James Butcher. That win included 2 breaks of 32 and 36. The bonus point went to Congs by just 10.

Following this week's results, St Andrews B still lead Congs B by two and a half points, with St Andrews A now 8 points further back in third. This coming week the leaders will be at Congs A and Congs B will be at St Andrews A. Two tough matches there. Bradford Deaf will host Princeville. Littlemoor may well be getting in some much needed practice. 

Please remember that the pre-Christmas get-together will be on Wed the 17th December and the next league meeting will be on the 19th December.

By Dave Howarth

League Secretary