MONDAY 27th OCTOBER 2008

PREMIER A

AWAY

BLUE LION ‘A’

Last week we recorded our first win in this season’s league campaign. We knew that repeating the performance this week would be tough, playing away to the Blue Lion. Whilst the record books will probably show that we win this fixture more often than not, there is very little difference in ability levels across the two teams. The one thing that is guaranteed is that there is always a great atmosphere during any match between the two sides.

In the first frame Dan broke for the Blue Lion and despite potting a ball he was forced to play safe. Gordon equally had no shot and replied in kind. This went on for a few shots until Gordon had the first sniff of a chance and cleared 4 balls. Dan potted a ball then laid a snooker. Gordon made good the escape and was back to the table quicker than expected with Dan only managing one more pot. Gordon cleared the remaining balls but found himself snookered on the black. This time Gordon was unable to make good the escape and the frame was at Dan’s mercy. Dan cleared the table but managed to go in off on his attempted pot on the black. Gordon relieved to get back to the table calmly potted the black with one shot to take the opener. 0 – 1

Andy stepped up to play frame two and found himself up against a former Tulip C player, Jamie. Andy won the toss but came up dry on the break. Jamie potted a red but was unlucky to leave no shot and played safe. Andy somehow found an opening pot with an incredibly fine cut to the middle and went on to pot three further yellows. After a few visits for each player, Andy found himself on the black but with no realistic chance of a pot. Jamie then potted a couple but rattled a ball and left a long fine cut into the corner for Andy. Andy was unable to repeat the earlier shot and missed the cut. A safety exchange then ensued until Jamie left Andy a half chance long pot to the corner. This time there was no mistake and Andy took the frame. 0 – 2

In frame three Graham won the toss for the Blue Lion and elected to break. Despite the new lightning quick cloth, the break yielded no pots for the second time in three frames. Pete took on an awkward plant to the middle and only just missed. Unfortunately this left the table wide open and Graham cleared six balls and was unlucky not to pot the seventh having just rattled it in a corner pocket. Pete potted two balls but was unsuccessful in laying a snooker. Graham was not going to give Pete another crack and duly potted his last ball and the black for the Blue Lion’s first frame. 1 – 2

Colin broke off in the fourth frame for the Blue Lion. Having potted two yellows, Colin nominated reds and went on to clear five balls. Mike managed only one pot and Colin was back at the table. He cleared his last two balls but missed a double to the corner for the black. A tactical battle then followed with Mike potting the odd ball then laying snookers. Each time it seemed that Colin not only escaped but he pushed the black closer and closer to the corner pocket. Eventually Mikes hand was forced and unable to play a snooker, he was forced to attempt a long rail shot. It looked good all the way but alas it rattled leaving Colin a simple tap in for the frame. 2 – 2

Ian was chosen to play against Dave, both Landlord and captain of the Blue Lion. Ian won the toss and managed to go in off from the break. (Put your own words here please). The frame then got under way with both players potting the odd ball followed by shots to develop a ball or cover a pocket. Ian then plays what seems to be the perfect DF to give him control but Dave countered with a pot and his own DF to completely turn things around. Ian now completely at Dave’s mercy has no option but to play conservatively. And so commenced the tactical battle until from absolutely no where Ian made a quality clearance. 2 – 3

Arthur won the toss and broke off in frame six for the Blue Lion. Craig had to stand and watch as Arthur potted five yellows. Unable to do anything with his first visit Craig couldn’t believe his luck when Arthur goes in off and lets Craig back to the table with two shots. Craig clears all but one ball but manages to snooker himself behind the black. Craig misses the escape but manages to leave the table relatively safe. Arthur was unable to do anything with the two shots and lets Craig back to the table for the clearance. 2 – 4

In frame seven Trevor won the toss for the Tulip and elected to break. Despite failing to pot the balls appeared to be safe. Martin however managed to find a pot but was unable to follow it up. Both players then had little chance to make serious inroads until Trevor cleared five balls but rattled the sixth. Martin then went in off giving Trevor two shots. Using one shot to develop a ball, Trevor then cleared the remaining two colours but failed to get good position on the black. Taking on a ridiculous cut, Trevor sent the cue ball chasing around the table and into a pocket. Fortunately the black never made it to the pocket. Martin then cleared all but one ball with the two visits but left Trevor a very tricky but makeable long pot down a side rail. Trevor this time didn’t fail and secured the point. 2 – 5

Rob broke off for the Tulip in frame eight and potted two yellows. Choosing reds Rob went on to pot two more balls. Pierce then had little to go at and played a containing shot. This went on for a short exchange until Pierce got a half chance, got in, and cleared his colours. Unfortunately for the Blue Lion, Pierce was unable to pot the black along the rail. A few shots were exchanged then Rob seized his chance and made good his clearance. 2 – 6

With the match won it was time for the doubles. Any extra points would be good but we wanted at least two out of the three to make it a good win. Well two out of three is what was achieved. Ian and Craig played Jamie and Martin in the first doubles with Craig making an excellent clearance for 2 – 7

Trevor and Andy played Colin and Arthur in the second frame. The telling shot came when Andy, on a clearance, was unlucky to find the middle pocket with the cue call. The speed of the cloth proving difficult to judge not for the first time tonight. Colin then cleared the table with the resulting two shots. 3 – 7

The final frame was contested by Rob and Gordon playing Dave and Graham. The note taker obviously weary, drunk or both by now, the only record is that Gordon secured the final black. Hic. Oops shhh don’t tell every one. 3 – 8

A great result and as usual a great evening hosted by Dave and his team……

FINAL SCORE

BLUE LION ‘A’ 3 - 8 TULIP ‘C’