WEEKLY UPDATE 2ND FEBRUARY 2025

Plenty to report on this week, with 5 matches played and a change at the top of the table.

On Monday, at Princeville, Deaf Centre A visited, to play their match against Princeville D, postponed from 10th December. Playing Monday seemed to suit the home team more than the visitors, although not before Brian Robinson had got the visitors off to a good start, defeating Mick Cockcroft by 48. Peter O'Connell was without a win in his previous 4 games this season and he got nowhere here, as a very steady Steve Gatenby beat him by 72 to put the home team in control. I didn't see the last game but it was clearly a very close fought affair, with Chris Jarvis including a break of 31 to beat Ihjaz Hussain by just 3. When posting the scorecard on Facebook Chris commented 'Well played Ihjaz Hussain ' which I think says it all. So a 3 -1 win for Princeville D

On Tuesday night Deaf Centre A returned to Princeville to play league leaders Princeville C and were much more successful, pulling off a 3 - 2 victory.  Monday nights losers were winners on Tuesday, as Peter O'Connell secured a first win of the season against Keith Tomlinson, while Ihjaz Hussain this time won a close one, beating Paul Devitt by 12. Monday's winner Brian Robinson lost this time, by 54 to Graham Bentley, meaning that Princeville C secured the aggregate point on the night but Deaf Centre A's win in the reverse fixture secured them them the extra point

So leaders Princeville C slipped up, but there was no slip up by second placed Pudsey B, at home to bottom of the table Princeville B. The game between Graham Tudor and John Bedford looked like 'a game of three halves'. Graham soon extended his 20 point handicap advantage to 60 but a run in the 20's followed quickly by another in the late teens saw John not much more than 10 behind with about 15 minutes remaining, but Graham then did most of the scoring in those last 15 minutes and finished 72 ahead. Sid Ash was next up for Pudsey, conceding 50 on handicap to Peter Turner. He was however 10 or more in front with about 10 minutes to go when Peter suddenly found a few scores - but there was no need for any nerves as Sid got home by 7 to put Pudsey B two up. I was pleased with my start against Dave Howarth, getting the initial canon and knocking the red into nice position. The break ended at about 17, but it felt like an encouraging start away from home. Dave however was soon into his stride and striking the balls nicely, to which they responded well. My chances were few and far between (as were the balls for many of my visits) and starting the game 105 in arrears I was soon having to open things up - to disastrous effect. Dave was never threatened and led his side to a comfortable 5 - 0 win and back to the top of the table

On the other table, Monday night's winners Chris Jarvis and Steve Gatenby found it harder going against Pudsey A.  Chris finished 20 behind John Allan, with Steve 43 behind Peter Allan and Mick Cockcroft was even further behind Ralph Allan, to record a second defeat of the week for him, and a 5 - 0 defeat for Princeville C

The other match at Princeville saw Deaf Centre B, who have been the form team over the past 4 matches, playing Princeville A. Jeremy Dixon leads the Players Table and continued his good form with a 72 point win against Trevor Kershaw - who departed for Tenerife the following day!! Gareth Kershaw pulled 30 back against Ian Ford, although it proved to be Princeville A's only point as Edward Lawson was edged out by 8, against Graham Lambert, who has fared better since an increase in handicap over Christmas. So a 4 -1 win for Deaf Centre B which moves them up to third in the table, 4 points behind Princeville C and 5 behind leaders Pudsey B.

This coming week the Deaf Centre have another 'home match' at Pudsey, where it's A v B and B v A. At Princeville it's A v B and D v C

All pages are now up to date, including the scorecards page where Monday nights scorecard is shown under the originally scheduled date of 10 December 2024

Stephen Kershaw

Secretary