London A 22 - 22 Hampshire A
Canavans, 15th April 2012

Set scores: 6-7-4-5

A pretty disappointing result, to be frank. I don't like to take things away from the opposition too much but the truth is that Hampshire were solid but not spectacularin taking advantage of a shocking second half from London.

Hants did start well, not giving us a shot in the first 2 frames, but we rallied to win that set with 6 frames and we pushed on in the second. Things always felt a bit flat though, and the truth was that a fair few of the frames we'd lost, after those first two, had been thrown away. From then on it went horribly wrong and got worse; we only won 2 of the last 8 frames.

Maybe it was a feeling that a 13-9 lead would be enough, that caused such a loss of focus and atmosphere as the game went on. That's something we all need to work on, and to remember that [i]every team we play[/i] is capable of winning a lot of frames against us if we let our normal high standards slip. We seem to have forgotten that far too many times in the last few months.

It's time to learn the lesson. And what better opportunity or motivation could we have than a trip to Surrey? They've moved into top spot in the league now. We'll need to get back to our normal ways next month to regain the lead. But we've done it before, and we'll do it again.

Joe 3/4
Nigel 2/4
Frank 3/4
Darren 1/4
Chris 2/4
Alex 3/4
Andy 2/4
Rupe 2/4
Sean 2/4
Jerry 0/4
Jon 0/2
Adam 2/2

Joe, Frank, and Alex all did well to win 3 of their 4 frames, but I think it's fair to say that no-one really excelled. Adam also deserves a mention for coming back after a month in the B's and coming off the bench to win both of his frames in really good style, including the last one to save the draw.

The second match this season for the Junior team saw us at Home to Hampshire who only had 9 players on the day, we had 13 so it made selection a bit difficult but everyone got to play at least 1 frame. Good performance all round from our young team and they are now really starting to gel. The boys still left a few frames out there on the table but it was still a comfortable win. They are all looking forward to the Surrey game now and the two practice sessions per month are paying off. Well done to Tony Griffin for his 4/4 and for winning Man Of The Match & Players Player Of The Match. Also a mention for 2 of the new lads Shaun 'The Smiling Assassin' Wormsley for getting 3/4 and also Alan 'Trapshot' Bushell 2/3.

Nip and tuck all the way, but London Cs sprint to the finish for a third straight win!

It's great writing one of these reports when you and your team are on a high. So far this season the Cs have shown real promise and - whisper it - there's been talk of us maybe challenging for the title. Today we had a big test of that against a decent and fast improving Hampshire side. Coming into the game, I had a genuine feeling that this was some team, and to be honest, I remain committed to the comments I posted before about how proud I am to be captaining it. Today, they justified that pride.

But this was a strange game. It was strange because, to be fair, neither team seemed to be playing that well. It was an oddly subdued encounter. London C looked half-asleep as it progressed forward. We were really treading water for three quarters of the game. We had our noses in front, but we couldn't get a run together to make us comfortable. Hants kept biting away to stay within touching distance and the match itself proved that nothing should be taken as read. That we won 27-17 is not a fair reflection on the Hants side, or the match, because it was one of the closest I have ever been involved in. Only at the end did we start to run away with it - and then some!

The scoresheet gives evidence of this: Andre won the opener but the record reads W, L, W, L, W, L, W, L, L, W, W. The first quarter was exactly that - we'd win a frame, they'd square. They took the lead towards the end, we levelled and then stuck our noses out in front again, 6-5 at the corner. But that was fine, because after we woke up we'd find that form and start to take control, right? Wrong. Even after we won the opening game of the second set to go two clear for the first time in the match, they pulled it back. Then we went two clear again at 8-6 but suddenly they put together the best run so far with three straight to lead 9-8. It was an awkward day. We weren't playing bad but we weren't playing great. There were missed chances, silly positional shots, control taken and thrown away ... We shared the next four and then took the last of the quarter to go into half-time even, but they'd won the set 6-5.

So, surely we'd take control in the third quarter? Well, yes, OK, a little, but it was still hard work. The first four were once again shared, then we won five from the next six to takes us four clear, before they closed the gap to three. It was our set by 7-4, definitely a step up.

Subdued? Treading water? Sleepwalking through? Yes, we were all of these things, but in the final quarter we really came alive. I don't know what sparked it off. Maybe it was getting the run of the balls that gave us confidence. We certainly had the luck on our side but more importantly we started to make it work for us and took control and took our chances. Although we shared the opening two frames of that quarter, we proceeded to pull together a quite incredible streak of eight straight frames, and it was just one of those wonderful things. We had already won the game at 23-16, which less than an hour before had seemed highly improbable. It was actually Lee who potted the winning black, an outrageous shot up and down the table which had everyone on their feet.

For me, the final quarter was like sitting on the back of a horse that was romping to victory at a big race, one after another frames were going our way and we looked unstoppable. But this was out of sorts with the feel of the game, which seemed for all the world to be heading to the wire. I think I am probably more impressed with the team for just sticking in there when the fireworks weren't going off than for finally setting them off. You can clinch a match in one quarter, but you can't win it in one quarter. Isn't that what Hadrian said of the building of Rome: "Brick by brick, my fellow citizens." Brick by brick indeed.

BUT there are improvements to be made. It may have been 27-17 but some players threw frames away by taking their eyes off the ball. Normally solid competitors missed blacks they would normally do in their sleep, or else snookered themselves on the last ball, or ran out of position when the finish was on. I tell you, I am amazed how many normally straightforward shots we were ballsing up! It was like we'd caught a group disease, and none of us watching could work out what was going on. So, the fact that despite that, we still pulled it out is something to be proud of.

Three players were 4 from 4 today, which is a damned good stat. So far this season, Baz Folkard has been London's top C player and was lying 3rd in the region before the match on 6/8. He notched up his second 4/4 today, but he certainly had to work for it. His first two frames were fudge-fests beyond belief. He also blew chances including one two on the black, but somehow he ground his way through. All day the normally fluent Baz, who can dish for fun, won ugly. But he won! Also on 4/4, and also notching up his second 4/4, was Andre Cox. Putting a disappointing last match behind him he played some quality pool throughout and seemed always in charge. The third 4/4 was perhaps the most welcome of them all because it signalled a return to form for a player who had hitherto been struggling to find his touch this season: the normally unflappable Richard Chapman.

Two players were on 3/4 and they deserve every bit as much credit as the 4/4 brigade. Michael Bonney is just consistency par excellence. Coming into today he'd gone 3/4, 3/4 to lay just behind Baz in the stats. Another 3/4 is testament to this man's approach to county pool. And to boot, he scored a break-dish in the last game, to match the break-dish he got last match. That's good county pool, I can tell you. And Paul Williams was a quiet giant. It was his first outing and my decision to start him seemed iffy after he threw away his first frame but he came back with balls attached and chalked up the next three.

On 2/4 were Alex Stones, Paul Dawson and Paul Fitzgibbon. Alex won his first frame back in county pool for a year and a bit, having got back into the team through the trials but missed the first two matches. He then let his nerves get the better of him as he lost his next couple, both from winning positions. But he played with confidence in his final frame which was good to see. Paul D had a poor day by his standards, and lost position on occasion and missed a simple enough black to throw a game away, but still got solid 2/4 which is what you need from a man playing below his best. Fitz, meanwhile, has had an awful season so far and I chewed around the option of benching him today but thought I would give him the benefit of the doubt. He then proceeded to lose his opening two and maybe at that point many a captain would have taken him off. For some reason, instinct I guess, I stuck with him, and he rewarded me in fine style with two good frames.

Lee Bushell came in at half time and won both his frames playing stylish pool, and he is currently unbeaten this year. I figure he may be starting against Surrey! Graham Thompson came down from the Bs but lacked focus and while he showed displays of brilliance, had to wait until the last set before recording a win and finished 1/4. Mo Gulaid made his return to county and was perhaps unlucky to lose both his frames before I substituted him, he didn't really do anything wrong. The one player who had a day to forget was Mark Christensen, for whom nothing worked out and who ended on 0/4.

So, we have another win under our belts, and are one step closer to achieving something I believe no other London C team has ever achieved. It's early days yet, so whisper it if you have to ... but these boys can win this thing! We are away to Surrey next, on May 20. I'm quite certain we'll start as favourites for that, which rarely ever happens. Lets keep it together! I feel we'll have a strong side for that match!

I had three lads on 4/4 plus Booney who broke-dished for a second time and played solid stuff, so there's much to applaud in the man of the match stakes. But of everyone, there's one guy who didn't put a foot wrong and so I have to give him the man of the match nod - well done Andre Cox.

I'd also like to say a huge well-done to the Bs for lifting themselves up after a disappointing loss to Berks and recording a big win against a previously unbeaten Hants side. The seniors also ended an unbeaten Hants run, and the juniors won as well, but while the As drew and the ladies lost, I think our combined achievements will put us well-placed in the regional rankings.

Thanks for another great day to all the great players in London C!

London A 23 - 21 Berkshire A
Canavans, 11th March 2012

Set scores: 6-6-3-8


A resurgent Berkshire were the only team to beat us in the Region last year, so we should have been under no illusions that this'd be easy.

And just in case if anyone wasn't clear about that, we were soon trailing 3-0 thanks largely to good play by the visitors (and to some flukey position against Jamie, to be fair).

Frank stopped the rot with a spectacular double on the black, and Joe (down the order thanks to tardiness) followed up with a typically bonkers finish - not sure he ever had position till the black but he came up with the recovery shots when he needed them.

Jerry had half a chance to dish Giuseppe up first visit but had to force things a bit to get position and ended up potting the black early. Jon finished the set with a break and dish which saw us finish the set with our noses just in front.

We got the second set with the same score but with things feeling steadier now we were on terms. Sean got B&D'd (his only loss of the day) and Jon finished the set well again... potting the black he'd snookered himself on to finish off a nice dish.

The third set, so often the point where London kick in and pull away, turned into a nightmare. Sean's fantastic finish, freeing up a nasty tied-up black off his last ball, was the only highlight. Lowest moment was when Nigel got an awful kick on the black to lose to Vikas. We lost the last 5 in a row to leave us 18-15 down.

Jack won the first of the final set but losses for Jamie and Chris (to a B&D) in frames 2 and 3 put Berks on the verge of a result. We needed 7 of the last 8 to win the match.

We got the first 6 of them, clinching the draw and leaving us needing one of the last 2 frames, with a team captain on each table. Often things can get a bit cagey at this stage but as it turned out the break went well for the breaker on both tables and yours truly was able to finish the match off with a B&D just before the Berk's skipper Scott Yardley completed the same against Jon on the other table.

The win sees us take top spot in the table by a single frame from Surrey, who host Berks next month.


Jack 3/4
Jamie 0/4
Darren 1/2
Frank 4/4
Joe 2/4
Nigel 2/4
Sean 3/4
Alex 2/4
Andy 3/4
Jerry 0/2
Jon 2/4

Chris 0/2
Rupe 1/2

The Cs picked up our second straight win, but we rather fell over the line in a remarkable match against a relentless Berkshire team. Make no mistake, this was a decent side who expect to once again contend for the region in this division, but we made them look truly average as we pounded our way to an 8-3 first quarter lead, then extended that to 16-6 at half-time, but any thoughts of a quick win were dashed as they smashed us up 8-3 in the third quarter and won the final one 7-4, by which time we had just about done enough. The lesson here is simple - don't underestimate anyone! The early score clearly flattered us because Berkshire are a stronger side than many we will face, and to be fair no team could have withstood the avalanche we subjected them to, but the second half results were clearly more indicative of their actual abilities. By that time, the luck, which had no doubt favoured us earlier on, had deserted us and we were making a mess of finishing off frames, too many snookers on the last ball and too many foul snookers given away at crucial times. We threw away so many chances to clinch the 23 we needed, I wondered if it wasn't destined to end up as a draw, despite our early efforts, but thankfully Chappers was gifted with a sitter to finally get us over that line.

mister T writes: Massive congratulations to Jack Pople on winning the European Singles Championship on Dublin. Jack beat England team mate, Bristol based professional, Ben Flack 8 - 3 in the final.

Jack also played in the England B team who won their respective division. Well done also to Nigel Clarke, member of the England U21 B team, who reached the semi finals of their division. For full results see the Euro8ball website.

Sussex A 19 - 25 London A
12th February 2012
Brighton

A disappointing number of players (4 or 5) who would have played in the As were missing, particularly disappointing given that it was the first match of the season and the longest journey. Having said that, the 11 who did play were all there by 1pm as I always ask people to be, and it may well be the first time that's happened. So to those players who made things easier for me and themselves... thank you and keep it up.

So, 8 players from last year's team were joined by Jack Pople (back after a sabbatical in Kent), Tony Bailey (a surprise recall thanks to being back in the set-up for the new Senior team who had already won 5-4), and Alex Lawrence (his debut in the As having topped the regional B ranking last year).

Debbie Pople writes: The Kent Youth Open will be held on the weekend of 2nd - 3rd June at Kent's inter county venue at Chatham.

The main event is open to players who were under 18 at the beginning of this year. The event starts on the Saturday and concludes on the Sunday, and will be played using a Swiss System so that everyone will have 3 lives - £10 to enter.

On the Sunday there will also be an under 16 (on the day) event.

See this flyer for more details.

The men's qualifiers take place at Vauxhall Holiday Park, Great Yarmouth and the ladies qualifiers are to be held at the Club 147 in Leicester. Full details including dates, entry fee and closing date for entries are on the appropriate entry form - click on the relevant links below.

Please note that the first entry deadline is 12 March 2012 (Mens' World Championship Qualifier).

Mens World Championship Qualifier

Mens World Masters Qualifier

Ladies World Championship Qualifier

Ladies World Masters Qualifier

London C gets off to a flyer!

London C took a big step towards overcoming last season's demons and doing justice to its undeniable talent with a terrific 28-16 win at Sussex today. It was a hugely confident performance, I think, not least because we trailed after the first quarter, but the ridiculously exciting thing is that I know, and we all know, that as a team we didn't come anywhere near our full potential. Everyone played great, nobody who played went home without a frame under their belt, so it really was a huge team contribution, but heck, we still have some notches to step up to so who knows how far this great team can go this season.

The Youth Grand Prix is being replaced in 2012 with a Junior Tour – limited to 64 players. The Junior Tour will comprise of a MAIN COMPETITION and a PLATE EVENT at each venue, with the GRAND FINAL event at the end of the season.

Tour Dates
21st/22nd April Morley International Leeds
26th/27th May Club 147 Leicester
4th/5th August Jordan's Kent
29th/30th Sept Players Lounge Stoke

ENTRY FEE £145
£50 Deposit paid with entry form and full amount paid by 1st March 2012

For an application form and further information please click here.