MONDAY 6th OCTOBER 2008

PREMIERE A

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FLYER ‘B’

Following on from last week’s disappointment, we were kicking off the new league season playing host to the current Premier A champions, The Flyer B. With a straight eight players it was…… well it was eight. Before the match even got under way Gordon, who was on call, received the dreaded call and was lost to us for the evening. So instantly, not only did the skip have to think about who was playing the No1 slot, but who he could call to make up the 8^th.

Andy stepped up for frame one, broke and potted a couple. The Flyer player was looking for two shots early on laying successive snookers however Andy was up to it. Eventually Andy ran out the remaining balls, including a long double on his last colour, to take the first frame. 1 – 0.

Whilst all this had been going on Ian had walked into the pub having been called in from his three week sabbatical. Having to be in work for 9pm he was instantly put on as No2. The cat gods were looking after Ian tonight. Despite fouling when a ball failed to hit a cushion Ian managed to take the frame. His opponent cleared the balls but missed the black to the middle. Ian just required the one visit to clear the remaining colours and black. A few quick high fives and Ian was out of the door and on his way to work. 2 – 0.

Pete played higher up the order than usual in the No3 spot. Both players had their chances but the Flyer player ran out the eventual winner. 2 – 1.

MJ played the 4^th frame and had to watch as his opponent broke and had first crack at the balls. Only potting two balls the Flyer player gave MJ his first chance at the table. MJ pots a couple but watches in horror as the white finds a pocket. The Flyer player then pots a couple in return but snookers himself. Failing to make good his escape, the advantage is passed back to MJ. The Tulip man was not prepared to let this chance slip and he potted all the remaining balls and the black. 3 – 1.

Mike played the 5^th frame and true to form the frame went tactical, just the way Mike likes it. Sure enough, after a long battle Mike secured the frame for a 4 – 1, yes 4 – 1 lead against the reigning champs.

Unfortunately, that’s where the wheels came off the Tulip wagon. Rob Craig and Trevor lost the remaining 3 singles, Craig not even getting a shot. And when Andy and Trevor lost the first doubles, the 4 – 1 lead had turned into a 5 – 4 deficit.

Craig and MJ played the 2^nd doubles and had to play on the back foot with the Flyer pair clearing to their last colour. However, patience was rewarded and after a couple of snookers / two visits, the home team were presented with an opportunity to take the frame and level the match. MJ did not disappoint and we were heading for a decider. 5 – 5

Mike and Rob played in the final frame. Rob had the first good chance and cleared the colours Unfortunately, Rob snookered himself on the Black. After a couple of safety’s, the Flyer pair were presented an opportunity to clear and duly obliged. 5 – 6

A good effort and you would probably have taken that score line at the start of the night. However, I can’t help thinking there was an opportunity missed there. Still never mind we have an easy game against the pool club next week, LOL.

FINAL SCORE

TULIP ‘C’ 5 - 6 FLYER ‘B’