Billiards Season 2026

Admin Report:
Can we stick to reports and references to Billiards and the match only please. References to football teams especially sad West Ham will only spur other captains to use this as a platform to do likewise. KJ

Home Team Report:
A closely fought tie between 2 well-matched teams brought a great result for New Haw who almost certainly benefited from Oatlands not having a match last week. All 3 frames were fairly scrappy affairs with no-one finding any real fluency on a difficult table (as the poor high break count and the 10.55 finish shows) In frame 1 Steve gained a 20-odd point lead early which he held until Dan’s very nice 25 break put him into the lead just past the 100 mark. However Steve retained his composure and playing some excellent shots eased back into the lead to win very well in the end. In the 2nd frame Peter played his usual “all-round” game to jump out into a 20 point lead. With Lol still struggling to find his form and any run the early signs were ominous but he battled hard and eventually caught Peter at about 120. At that point he also managed to not leave anything for at least 5 visits which allowed him to pull clear and win by a fairly comfortable 20 margin. The Final frame – oh dear – how did I win that? I had to apologise to Mark immediately afterwards as I really don’t understand what happened. Without playing his best (he didn’t have to!!) Mark gradually gained a 40 point advantage as I struggled to hit the ball in a straight line! Then, as he passed 130, and looking for all the world a 3-1 winner, he just inexplicably stopped scoring. So with only 1 or maybe 2 double figure breaks in the entire game I was able to catch and pass him going on to undeservedly nick the frame. If only West Ham could get that sort of result playing that badly we’d be after a Champions League spot! Sorry again Mark. Still, as always, it was a most enjoyable evening with the OP team and congratulations to them for avoiding the drop last week – (Hope WHU can do the same!) Andy Smith

Away Team Report:
Another tight match between us as always, with the table being frighteningly difficult with seemingly "nailed on" shots not dropping. Dan appeared very rusty at the start but found some form during the game but Steve played very steadily through the game and just ran out the winner. In frame 2 I started quite brightly and felt confident but once again a few silly misses cost me dear and instead of knuckling down and playing I was bemoaning my luck and managed to lose. I have learnt a big lesson and will be better for it. Well what can I say, Mark looked a racing certainty being over 40 points clear but contrived to lose this game but to be fair with Mark on 134 and Andy on 90 odd Mark was hardly left anything to go at and Andy came up the rails to pinch it. A very sporting and entertaining evening with the New Haw lads and we hope to get our revenge in the return.