Billiards Season 2024

Home Team Report:
A very pleasant evening and a great result for New Haw against the team I still regard as the best in the division despite the loss of Mr Court. We had a worrying start as due to a recurring back problem Lol walked in looking like the “missing link”. Having drawn a still in good form Tony Charlton it looked like being a nightmare as Tony was into the 40’s before Lol chalked his 1st score. But to his great credit Lol battled extremely hard and registered a very creditable point while Tony, as expected, ran out a comfortable winner. A very entertaining and exciting 2nd frame pitched Steve Dale against Trevor Johnson. The early stages were nip and tuck as both players were playing well without being able to dominate and the lead was changing hands with almost every visit. However, a very well constructed break of 29 by Steve established a good lead and despite Trevor pushing him hard, he was never able to quite close the gap. This was one of Steve’s best performances of the season and a great win which was to prove pivotal in the overall score. Kelvin asked me not to include a report on our frame but I think that would be unfair on him as on paper it looks like he got a stuffing. Everyone knows how I hate being beaten by luck but equally I dislike receiving more than my fair share. Tonight was in a word “embarrassing”. I did get off to a sprightly start, establishing an early 40 point lead with 2 or 3 reasonable runs in the teens. However, at this point Lady Luck took a hand and for the 2nd time this season (ironically, both against Staines) I definitely received more than my fair share. On top of several “fortunate scores” all through the middle third of the frame I probably only left Kelvin with 1 or 2 opportunities. I also made 4 or 5 shots that you would only expect to make maybe once in a frame, including turning down a very difficult cannon to pot a single baulked red from in hand and a couple of “long ginnie’s” from the baulk side of middle. This made all the difference as on the night I probably just shaded Kelvin in the way we both played but I’m the 1st to admit the final score was thoroughly undeserved. The good news is that this result pulls Staines back to the chasing pack with 4 teams still in the running for the Div 1 title. Looking at the run-in you would have to make Oatlands slight favourites but as was proved last week by Mark McIntyre, anything can happen in this surprising and most exciting season. As was so clearly shown in our match at OP, how each tie is drawn over these last few matches is going to be vital. It’s going down to the wire!!

Away Team Report:
Another setback for Staines who seem now to have blown their chances on winning the division. Tony and Lol nearly always draw each other and this was no exception. Usually close games but as in their earlier league game Tony played very well and won comfortably, maintaining his good standard of play this season. Trevor and Steve had a real ding dong game which could have gone either way. Steve had a nice 29 break and just shaded it.
Andy inflicted Kelvin's heaviest defeat, other than by Mark Leonard, for many seasons. He played very good billiards and took advantage of another poor display by his opponent. I think its fair to report that some shots he pulled off would be once a season ones. Particularly when double baulked and in trouble he somehow managed to pot the red and landed perfectly to go in off the white and continue scoring. Allied to that Kelvin couldn't buy a leave. However full credit and congratulations to Andy. A great result for him and for his team. Kelvin hasn't played at all well in the second half of the season and the commitment involved with running the league is taking its toll.
A good evening nevertheless and a result that gives New Haw an outside chance of a trophy.