Billiards Season 2024

Home Team Report:
After our very good win against Staines last week, this was another difficult game for us, although we were confident we could get a result. The draw was of no significance to the outcome of the game. Our table is a level playing field for all players as has been demonstrated by many visiting players over the years. In the opener Mark and Lol played very well early on and were level after a third of the frame had been played. Mark then eased into a substantial lead playing some very good billiards and Lol was unlucky not to get to 100. In the second Andy got off to a flier and continued to make some good breaks all through the frame, Peter could not buy a leave with a Euro millions jackpot and had hardly anything to go at all night. Andy by his own admission played very well. In the last frame, Dan and Steve traded similar scores and it was a very level match but a quite a scrappy affair until towards the end when Dan made a couple of significant contributions to run out the winner. This result does neither team many favours but both are still in the hunt in one of the most closely fought and exciting league finishes for many years. The word “fluke” is used an awful lot at our standard of billiards but generally it evens out, although flukes are not only pots, in offs or cannons but also what you leave your opponent but this is not always recognised. An interesting evening.

Away Team Report:
After our great result against Woking B last week the “Billiards Gods” exacted their revenge on us last night allowing Staines to extend their lead at the top of the table. A perfect draw for Oatlands meant we had it all to do to extend our winning run but with both Dan and Mark again in fine potting form and the home table “looking after it’s own” we were unable to overcome the disadvantage. In frame 1 Lol kept pace with Mark up to 50 points but for the remainder of the frame wouldn’t have been able to buy a leave with a lotto jackpot! I think his cue ball was magnetized to the cushions! And with Mark in good form making several nice breaks in the teens, he was able to run out a comfortable winner. I got off to a flier in the 2nd frame almost reaching 100 in about 10 visits with Peter still in the teens. I was slightly disappointed not to create something far more substantial from any of my breaks but very pleased to continue my much improved form from last week. With 2 other 20+ breaks I completed my best win of the season to get us right back into the match. (Sorry Pete) In the deciding 3rd frame Dan and Steve were neck and neck into the 80’s but then an 18 break off a fluke followed by an excellent 20+ run put Dan into a commanding lead which he never looked like relinquishing. Steve worked hard to gain his 2nd point keeping us 1 point ahead of Oatlands in the table. Another friendly, enjoyable and exciting evening between 2 well matched teams but a result that really did neither of us any favours. However, in this season of twists and turns I’m sure there’s much more excitement to come.