Just the two full matches to report on this week, as the Princeville v St Andrews B match wasn't fully completed... Steve Boocock had a last minute family emergency to deal with on Thursday and so had to pull out, leaving no possibility of getting a replacement. However, I am advised that Steve and James Butcher will likely be playing each other next Friday. In the 3 games that were played in that fixture, Princeville came out on top against the league leaders with wins from Steve Gatenby and Graham Bentley. Steve Clark was the only winner for St Andrews B on the night. I haven't added the scores from that incomplete match yet to the league table, or the players table, and will do so when it has concluded next week. I'm grateful to Gareth Kershaw for reporting on the games that were played, on our Facebook page.

The other incomplete match between Pudsey Congs A and their stablemates, Congs B currently stands at 2-0 to Congs B with wins from Mick Hirst and Colin Nelthorpe. Dave Hirst advises me that the other two games will be played this coming Monday evening. Again, as that match is incomplete, I have not added the points scored so far to the league table or the players table, but will do that next week. 

In one of the the two completed matches this week, there was a big shock at Pudsey Congs where the visitors were Bradford Deaf. Those of you who haven't seen the scorecard from the Facebook page will be surprised to learn that the match finished 5-0... to the visitors! Bradford Deaf were at full strength, and although there looks to have been a couple of close ones, it was Jeremy Dixon, Ihjaz Hussain, Brian Robinson and Ian Ford who took all five points from second in the table Congs B.

At St Andrews, their A team took on foot of the table dwellers Littlemoor, whose form improved slightly last week with a 3-2 win at Bradford Deaf Centre. The visitors got off to a good start with John Allan defeating Neil Lee 200-165. An early 32 break by John was followed up soon after with a 28 to take him clear with a fair bit of the game remaining. He held onto the lead and reached the 200 with a couple of minutes to spare. Next up was yours truly against John Rider. John quite simply confirmed our placings in the Players Table with a comfortable 200-156 win. Graham Pearson and Ralph Allan were next up and although this was the closest game of the evening, it was Ralph who took advantage of some good running close to home to claim another point for Littlemoor. Graham Tudor then continued his good form with another win for Littlemoor over a luckless Nigel Brayshaw. Could Littlemoor now be on the brink of turning their season around? 

The League and Players Tables don't quite present a completely true picture of exactly where we stand, but I do believe that the league is still very competitive, with this weeks results showing that on any particular day, "anyone can beat anyone". By this time next week, I should be able to bring us fully up to date in terms of the league and players tables, when we should have caught up with the 3 un-played games.

I am also aware that a good few of the Individual Merit and Pairs matches have been arranged for the next couple of weeks, which should keep us up to date before the next league meeting at the end of this month.

Dave Howarth

League Secretary