WEKLY UPDATE 3rd MAY 2024

Four matches this week in the Quarter Finals of the Billiards Pairs

I was at the Deaf Centre, where one match started promptly, while the other match was delayed by Brian Robinson's late arrival. One might have expected that the rush to get there could have adversely affect his performance, but the reverse seemed to be the case. He comfortably won the string off and when Edward Lawson's break off left the red ball over the middle pocket he quickly made inroads into the 20 point handicap deficit - and then sped along to a 200-160 victory. With handicaps on, I started on 120 to Ihjaz Hussain's 241 - a tough ask. A couple of early runs in the 20's offered hope, but after a spell of safety play the points dried up and Ihjaz was soon back to near 100 in front. A final score of 400-302 made it a disappointing night for the visitors.

On the other table, an in form, Ian Ford enhanced Sid Ash's billiards education, and it was only a late break into the 20's that enables Sid to get to 173. With only 15 in the handicaps his partner John Allan started 42 behind Jeremy Dixon, and while he was always chasing the home man, he was in the hunt throughout the game, until Jeremy claimed another home victory by 400-380.

There was also a close finish at Princeville, where Trevor and Gareth Kershaw took on serial winners of this competition, Ralph Allan and Richard Bowes. Gareth must have played pretty well to defeat Ralph by 200-178 which enhanced his Dad's handicap advantage of 70 over Richard. The reports I've have don't indicate any significant breaks for either player but Richard certainly ran it close, just missing out 388 - 400.

On the other table Peter Allan held off Mick Cockcroft 200-197, in another close finish, but in the only match where a first half deficit was turned round, Chris Jarvis had a beak in the 50's and another in the 30's to see off Dave Howarth 400 - 342

The two Deaf Centre pairs have both been drawn at home again  in the semi finals, with Dixon and Ford meeting Jarvis and Cockcroft while Hussain and Robinson meet the Kershaw's. These matches will be played on Tuesday 14th May

Meanwhile, this coming week (7th May) the Individual semi finals will be played. It is hoped there will be an early start at Princeville (possibly as early as 6.30) as two of the billiards players are in action at Snooker as well. Chris Jarvis and Dave Howarth are certainly aiming for an early start to enable Chris to head off to the Deaf Centre to play Snooker against Jeremy Dixon probably sometime after 8.00. Richard Bowes will only need to travel across the room at Princeville, as he will be playing me at Billiards before crossing swords with Mick Cockcroft at Snooker

The finals of all three competitions will be at Gt Horton Conservative Club on Tuesday 21st May, when all the seasons trophies will also be presented

Before that, on Wednesday of this week (May 8th), the H Kershaw Memorial Trophy will be played for at Princeville with a 7.15 start. The exact line up is still to be finalised but confirmed players are Richard Bowes, Chris Jarvis, Stephen Kershaw, Trevor Kershaw and Paul Devitt. Spectators will be welcome

Stephen Kershaw

Secretary