MONDAY 28th APRIL 2008

ESSEX TROPHY QTR FINAL

AWAY

BLUE LION

The Tulip ‘C’ players were keen to end the season on a high and try and progress in at least one if not both of the remaining cups. First up was an away trip to the Blue Lion in the quarter final of the Essex trophy. With only Tam missing from the regular squad the captain was had some options for a change.

In frame one Andy took firm control of his frame until an accidental cannon pushed one of his opponent’s balls over a pocket preventing a possible total clearance. Andy was then looking second favourite until he played an incredible shot (juries out on fluke / intentional) getting the last ball out from a congested corner pocket and doubling it into the middle! The black was a mere formality. 0 – 1

Gordon stepped up for frame two and whilst he failed to clear with his first opportunity, a fantastic couple of shots including a long rail shot on the black secured the frame. 0 – 2

Frame three started with the Blue Lion player clearing three or four of his balls. Ian then had his turn at the table but fouled leaving a foul snooker. Incredibly the Blue Lion player did not call it, smashed the balls and potted one of Ian’s balls. Ian was then unable to clear with his two shots and a short tactical battle followed. Unfortunately, the cat didn’t get his full quota of lives and the frame was finally lost. 1 – 2

In the fourth frame Pete broke and cleared his first four balls but could not complete a clearance The frame went tactical from here on in with the Blue Lion player potting the odd ball and leaving Pete very little. Just as it seemed that the frame was in the hands of the Blue Lion player, Pete made a monster pot and went on to clear the remaining balls. 1 – 3

The Blue Lion broke in the fifth frame but failed to pot a ball. Rob then cleared to one ball but could not complete the clearance. The next few visits saw the Blue Lion come back until he too had only one ball left. Rob then potted his last ball but did not get good position on the black. Rob attempted a long double but failed leaving his opponent a decent chance to clear. Unfortunately for the Blue Lion player, a horrid miscue resulted in a foul for failing to hit a cushion. To make things worse he had left Rob in a foul snooker. To the horror of the other Tulip players Rob declared “what do I now”. Craig then gave the perfect answer “ read the bl*#dy rules”. Rob finally muttered something to the ref and he duly moved the cue ball and potted the black. 1 – 4

Trevor was asked to play in frame six however despite never looking in danger of losing his opponent played some excellent shots to claw a frame back. 2 – 4

Craig played some fantastic shots in his frame giving his opponent no chance. 2 – 5

What followed was a tad bizarre. The Blue Lion captain declared that he did not have an eighth player and both teams shook hands. As it was still early Mike suggested that we still play the doubles for fun. At this point the Blue Lion captain declared that he had an eighth player who he could get to the game by the end of the night. Mike agreed and the match was back on!

The potential for a nightmare looked more and more likely as the Blue Lion won the first two doubles matches defeating the pairings of Rob & Craig and Andy & Gordon. In both frames we had chances but were unable to take them. 4 – 5

The nerves were definitely on edge as the Blue Lion’s eighth player entered the pub and was asked to play immediately. Mike nominated himself to play what was now a crucial frame. Surely we could not go to the final frame after having such a commanding lead? Well it took a couple of bites at the cherry but Mike made experience tell and won the required frame for victory. 4 – 6

Semi finals here we come.

Other news: - Q ball ‘A’ won and will be our next opponents in the Essex trophy. The Flyer lost to the Compasses. There could also be a surprise new player joining us for the summer league and it’s someone we all know well!!

FINAL SCORE

Blue Lion 4- 6 TULIP ‘C’