Hastings & Bexhill Bar Billiards league

Cutter A remain top after top two clash
Monday 17th November
​The Cutter A remain top of the table after a closely fought 3-2 win at home to second placed Jenny Lind B, the Old King John have joined the Jenny Lind B in second place after a 3-2 win at the Jenny Lind A.  Meanwhile the Ashburnham Arms defeated the Cutter B 5-0.

Jenny Lind A 2 Old King John 3 - Report by Ray Norton
The draw was made by Ray and stand-in away captain Chris, Nigel being absent.  The first match was Andrew against Andy, Andy made an impressive 1.9k break from the first shot, and fell just short of a mention on the scoresheet, this was the highest break on the night. In reply, Andrew started well but left both balls short on the one-up. Andy forged ahead, and scored many more on each of his turns than Andrew. Andrew repeatedly struggled with the break shot. The game then went into a slight stalemate as a ball was lodged directly on a white peg and neither player could dislodge it, Andrew made a valiant attempt to get it from behind only to see the peg fall aided by a gnats wing! Andrew had exactly no luck and was not really in the frame, and later claimed that chalking his walking stick might have been a better option. Andy ran out an easy winner by nearly 3k.  Next up was Kaz, who had performed well at the recent Monday club session, however all that practice knowledge left her as she struggled to get into the game. Roger put a 500 break on the board and as is the case when one player is struggling, the table threw up some really difficult positions. Roger finally cracked in a 960 break, to put him well ahead, and Karen lost a 250 break on an unfortunate ring. Again any attempt by Karen to get back in the frame was let down by bad luck and Rogers persistence. Roger was again an easy winner by 2.5K.  Next up was Chris and Paul, Chris started well but lost a 1.4k break when a ball did not touch it's target in the top left corner, behind the 30 holes seemed to be a tricky shot all night. Paul opened up really well and amassed a 1.8k break, again hoping to get on the score sheet, but fell short but kept his score. After his earlier disappointment, Chris failed to get to grip with the table, scoring but coming off too soon, and Paul was keeping himself ahead by about his opening break. At about the 3/4 mark, Chris suddenly started to score heavily and Paul started to look worried, and on this occasion the Bar came to Paul's rescue, with Chris playing out the table but falling just 400 short.  After the excellent sandwiches, Ray faced Gary on a rare appearance away from home. Ray opened up on a 1.6k break, and Gary failed to score, Ray was confident on most shots apart from the 1up, on which he fell short twice, and when into a good 1k odd break committed the cardinal sin of potting 4 times. Gary was slowly coming to grips with the fast table, most of the OKJ team opting for a one-up on the third shot, which sometimes went in! Ray maintained a healthy lead and was 1.5k ahead by the end, despite some OKJ players thinking it was closer!  Last up was Matt vs the late arriving Mark Bailey. Mark made an impressive 840 opening break, and with the expectation of the home team heavy on his shoulders, with the prospect of an unlikely home win on the cards. Matt fell short on a 340 break. Mark played well on the table, and Matt appeared to have hit a roadblock as his usual potting and break building were away this week. Mark made another 840 break and Matt had no reply, and in the end there was 2k in it.  It was a good night and a close result.   Final score Jenny A 2 OKJ 3.

Cutter A 3 Jenny Lind B 2 - Report by Tom Pope
It was everything to play for this evening as the Jenny B made the slog round the corner to play the Cutter A. Both teams were sitting on equal points at the top of the table with the OKJ coming up the rear.  Mr bombastic was first to play for the Cutter against Alex. Both had small breaks to kick the game off. The play descends very quickly into a scrappy battle with Alex coming out of it with a 1k lead. Daivd responds with a 1k break, only to lose it, but he gets straight back on the table and knocks in a 1.5k break. Alex responds with a 1.5k of his own, the bar goes and Alex had the game safety wrapped up. Alex puts a stop to David’s unbeaten record. Cutter A 0 – JLB 1.  Tom and Steve are next on the baize. Tom opens proceedings with a 1.5K break, Steve gets to work but let’s Tom back on the table to make a 1k break, only to lose it to the peg. Steve doesn’t mange to capitalise on his opportunities, allowing Tom back on the table to make a 2K break which again he loses. Not before long Tom is back on the table to build a break. As the bar goes, Tom clears the table to complete his break of 3440 and take the win. Cutter A 1 – JLB 1.  Jez and Alec are on the slate next. Both make small contributions on their opening breaks. It’s a bit of back and forwards, with Jez finally getting out ahead after knocking in a 820 break. Alec responds to bring the game level. It could go either way. Jez finally finds some flow to get a 1.5k break as the bar goes. Cutter A 1 – JLB 2.  It’s Pete and Rob to play after the cheese and onion sandwiches. Both miss their breaks and go on to pot little and often. Rob starts to build a break and misses the ball. This could be anyone’s game, it’ll just takes one of them to piece a break together. Pete musters the pizazz to put a break in and take a 700 lead. The bar goes, Pete comes off the table, Rob clears it up, but there aren’t enough points in the trough. Cutter A 2 – JLB 2.  It's decider time! Andy knocks in 600 on his break. Colin steps up and sets to work in what was to be a brilliant display of break building. Keeping his concentration throughout he knocks in a mighty 10,100 opening break and steps back from the table. Andy doesn’t have the opportunity to get back in the game against a formidable Colin. Congrats to Colins 10k break on his home table. Cutter A 3 – JLB 2

Ashburnham Arms 5 Cutter B 0 - Report by Sandy Harmer
The home captain Dave Pearce took an early lead against Joe Lyons, Joe managed to close the gap before 2 X 1000 breaks gave Dave a commanding lead to win the first game.  The second game was a close encounter, Dave White took advantage early on before Jay started his comeback, Jay got to within 400 before Dave looked to secure a winning break only to peg and leave the game open for Jay, Jay lost an important break when the bar was gone as Dave made it 2-0.  The home side made it 3-0 as Sandy Harmer beat Matt Pickles, Sandy settled for numerous small breaks, Matt lost his opening break and once he found the one up put in a good performance.  Mick Osborne started brightly and gained a 2k lead, Dave de Gruchy was somehow losing his breaks but half way through he got going and scored just shy of 2k to make the game close.  A late break of 1.2k gave Mick the lead and secure the game.  The home side secured the 5-0 win with Mick Osborne playing his second game against Phil Swain. Mick took an early advantage with a 2k lead, Phil responded and got near Mick, only for Mick to respond to that with a 1500 break and with that he secured the game.  The Ashburnham Arms clearly only know how to win one way with all their three league victories being 5-0 this season.

Scores