WEEKLY UPDATE 24 APRIL 2025

Individual Billiards quarter finals this week with 3 games played at Princeville. In the one not at Princeville, Sid Ash made home advantage count and beat Richard Bowes 200-178, despite Richard's best efforts with breaks of 48, 39 and 33!!

Two games had started at Princeville when I arrived, but I'm told that John Bedford (who started with a 95 point handicap advantage), opened up with a break of 17, which was quickly followed by a 38 from Chris Jarvis. On the other table, I'm told that Jeremy Dixon had included a 10 shot in the early exchanges (fish & chips anybody?) while Ian Ford 'was being Ian Ford!!'

Jeremy Dixon was still 60 points adrift when I arrived, but seemed to be pursuing relentlessly, without any significant breaks. Scores were level at about 160 and a win for Jeremy looked in the bag. John Bedford meanwhile was playing very nicely and, with Chris getting few opportunities, was still 80 points up at 160. He continued to add to his lead, until a late chance for Chris produced a run into the 20's, but it was too little too late and another nice run saw John winning 200-97. It had become scrappy fayre on the other table, as neither player was able to make the decisive move, and Jeremy eventually scrapped home 200-190

The third game started quite even on handicap, as Gareth Kershaw trailed Peter Allan by only 5. Gareth was soon in front, with both players looking good for their handicaps in the early stage. Gareth was scoring just a few more points in each exchange and managed to pull comfortably ahead. Mid game however there was a long dry spell for both players with little to play at - sometimes by design and sometime by accident. However, Gareth got going again first and led by 30, needing only 8 more. Peter then got a few chances to set the nerves jangling, but Gareth eventually got out by 15.

This coming week (29th) is the Snooker quarter finals, with 2 games at Princeville having been brought forward to Thursday (24th) due to holidays. John Bedford tells me he is hoping to play Richard Bowes at another venue (?),  while Ralph Allan and holder Chris Jarvis are drawn to play at Pudsey (bowls permitting!!).

Stephen Kershaw

Secretary