MONDAY 8th JANUARY
2007
PREMIER A
AWAY
Q BALL ‘A’
The start of the new year for the Tulip ‘C’ team saw
only 2 players missing from the side who travelled to the high flying Q Ball ‘A’
team. Tam absent because of work
commitments and MJ (may god have mercy on his soul) away on his honeymoon. The previous meeting between these two sides
saw a very close run match with the Q Ball ‘A’ side 6-5 victors at the
Tulip. Having lost their last 2 league
matches the Tulip ‘C’ side needed to get the second half of the season off to a
roaring start if they want to continue challenging for honours come the end of
the season.
Things didn’t begin well with Gordon looking like he
was going to be wiped off the table without even a look-in. However a superb fight back saw the Turtle
Wax Kid reach the black first, but an unfortunate kiss on an object ball halted
the finish and produced a foul for not hitting the cushion. With 2 visits the home side made no 2nd
mistake. 1-0.
Glenn was also given very few chances and with an
un-level table, even safeties were hard to produce and the home side were now
on a 2 point lead. Not the kind of start
wanted for the Tulip ‘C’ team. 2-0.
Ian looked in much improved form but still not at his
best. However he was always in control
of the frame despite his opponent getting 2 lucky snookers. When given his chance on the black, Bluetooth
made no mistake. 2-1.
But that was the end of this fight-back with Craig
seeing the table rob him of a chance and his opponent making a very impressive
clearance, and Pete still not firing on all cylinders was unable to create any
decent chances. 4-1.
Not the kind
of score-line that the Tulip ‘C’ wanted, and the mood of the team seemed to
slump. However when the going gets tough
the Tulip ‘C’ gets going!
The team’s
moral was raised when Trevor, despite producing his worst performance to date,
scraped a win with the home side struggling with their own table’s poor
roll. Although Trevor could have claimed
the same inadequacy he was still too good for his opponent and when a guilt
edge opportunity presented itself the potting frenzy Trevor we all respect
surfaced and the frame was over. 4-2.
This win
seemed to spur the travelling side on and Waspy, who also seemed well below par
after the Xmas break was lifted by the support from his team mates and, despite
what some would say were tactical errors, produced 2 first class pots to put
the Tulip ‘C’ side back to within a point. 4-3.
The lead was
cut completely by Mike whose tactical ability was far superior to that of the
home sides player.
The skipper was potting well and even slipped the black into the middle
pocket to win the frame. 4-4.
The Tulip ‘C’
were now on a roll and this roll continued into the doubles with both the solid
pairings of Trevor & Waspy and Ian & Craig proving more than a match
with tactics & potting ability. The 2 Trevor’s combining well to shut out
the home team’s and stop them from getting any rhythm going, and Craig playing
the tactician for Ian to have the potting role. The cheers from the travelling
side spurred on both pairings and it was this team spirit than really won the
match for the Tulip side. 4-6.
Mike &
Pete paired up for the first time in 6 years to complete this fantastic fight
for the Tulip C side and put them back into contention for honours in the
2006/7 season.
FINAL
SCORE
Q BALL ‘A’ 4 - 7 TULIP ‘C’