WEEKLY UPDATE 12 MARCH 2025

Last 16 of the Individual Snooker this week, and with the Deaf Centre still not available, there were 4 games at Princeville and 4 in Pudsey. It was a long night at Princeville, with all 4 games going to 3 frames - and not all players seeing potting the balls as the main priority (no names!!).

First up John Bedford against Trevor Kershaw and Ihjaz Hussain against Brian Robinson. Both frames started slowly, but Trevor then began to catch John, although John repeatedly got his advantage back to the 21 point handicap difference. On the other table Ihjaz seemed to get into his stride, before Brian started to take evasive action. Trevor took most of the colours, and with blue followed by pink, took the frame. Ihjaz and Brian's first frame continued, Ihjaz eventually taking blue and pink, leaving a tight cut back on the black into the middle pocket for the frame. Although he made a valiant attempt,  the black lipped and Brian knocked it in for a 1 - 0 lead. By now John and Trevor's second frame was following the pattern of the first, and so I went to brew some tea. As I stood up from my seat however, an outrageous piece of misfortune ended up with the black in the pocket, from an unlikely position tight to the top cushion, following a missed red by Trevor and several subsequent kisses. This seemed to change the flow of the game and another unfortunate kiss, a short time later, left Trevor, having potted a red, snookered on what was going to be a straightforward blue. John seemed to sense his moment and played very steadily from then on, to take the frame for 1 - 1. The second frame on the other table looked like being another close affair. John and Trevor's third frame was anything but, as John led from start to finish and Trevor conceded with the last red still on the table. Brian and Ihjaz's second frame was as close as the first, with this time Brian taking the black for another 1 - 1 score line. Time for tea!!

After a brief pause for tea, Brian and Ihjaz resumed, and the third frame was largely one way traffic towards Brian who won it comfortably around 9.20pm (both games had started at 7.20). It was my turn to play now, against Ian Ford, so I didn't see much of the game between Jeremy Dixon and Gareth Kershaw, except for the end of the third frame, when Jeremy potted an outstanding black to win the match - only to see the cue ball disappear down the pocket well - so game to Gareth 2 - 1. After a very poor billiards season, I seemed to be playing OK at snooker in my first frames for over a year, and I sneaked the first one on the colours. The second went Ian's way, with most of the colours still on the table. In the third I had the best of the early chances and so was soon more or less on terms. Ian didn't seem to play as well in this one, but I was assisted by a fair amount of good fortune, particularly in keeping the balls safe without really trying. 2 - 1 to me

I don't have much information about the games at Pudsey. Richard Bowes says on Facebook that he beat John Allan by about 20 in each of two 'scratchy' frames, for a 2 - 0 win with the only notable contribution a 28 by him  as he took last red to pink (I don't remember anything approaching a 28 break at Princeville!!). Current holder Chris Jarvis beat Sid Ash 2 - 0, but commented on Facebook that Sid was unlucky to lose a close second frame. After a season in which billiards wins have been like hen's teeth, Mick Cockcroft got off to a winning start at snooker, beating Peter Allan 2 - 1, while Ralph Allan beat Dave Howarth 2 - 1 on a third frame black. All done and dusted and home to bed from Pudsey by the time we finished at Princeville, I imagine, as Dave Howarth had posted the results to Facebook before Ian Ford and I had started our third frame

This coming week all the action in the team Play Off's is at Princeville. On Monday Deaf Centre A, who should have had home advantage, take on Princeville B,  in their delayed Elimination match (which table will they choose?). While on Tuesday, the winners will return, to play Princeville C or Deaf Centre B (who have also chosen to play their home quarter final at Princeville). The other participants in the quarter finals are Princeville A, who won through last week, but who plays who depends on Monday's result. The two Pudsey teams await this week's winners in the semi finals.

The following week (25 March) is the first round of the Individual Billiards Merit, and with Deaf Centre premises still unlikely to be available, I have reallocated the games due to be played there, so that there are 4 games at Princeville and 4 in Pudsey

Stephen Kershaw

Secretary