Hastings & Bexhill Bar Billiards league

OKJ and Ash lead the way after week two
Saturday 24th January
​The Old King John and the Ashburnham Arms have raced to the top of the table after continuing their unbeaten seasons, the Old King John won 4-1 at the Cutter A as the Ashburnham Arms beat the Jenny Lind B at home 4-1.  The Jenny Lind A started their season with a 3-2 win at home to the Cutter B.

Jenny Lind A 3 Cutter B 2 - Report by Ray Norton
After the draw, we kicked off with Paul vs Sam, for which Sam started as he had a difference to catch. Sam started well, but pegged, and the Paul left both balls short on the first shot. Sam stormed into the lead with a 590 break, and the game proceeded with swapping scores and the lead changing each time, as it was so close. Sam then made a 1300 break, and Paul scored to claw back a bit, but Sam was still ahead at the bar and maintained his 1300 odd lead.  Next up was Dave and Andrew, who was still suffering from some poor scores at the end of the last season. Dave started the game with a creditable 2430 break, and Andrew pegged out on 540, Dave then (not for the last time on the night) lost a sizeable score on the break shot 4 times. Andrew was scoring more on each occasion, but was well behind, and the final straw came when he lost 1370 to a missed ball nestled up behind the left hand 30 peg. Dave then slotted in a 1k break and with 5 mins to go was 2k in the lead. Dave maintained his advantage to leave the score at 2-0 to the Cutter B.  Next up was Matt and Pickles (not sure what his real name is?). Matt started the frame as he had a 3700 lead to make up, and he opened up with an opening 2350, after which it seemed that Pickles refused to score any points, and then Matt continued to score small breaks, and it was not until Matt had caught Pickles that he started to put some points on the board. It was about 1k in it by about ½ way, and the Matt scored another 2k break to finish the frame, as a worthy winner.  After the excellent (as usual) sandwich break. Home captain Ray played Phil. Ray managed to not score too many from the initial break, but Phil did not manage to keep his score either. Both players again started to trouble the scorer only in replacing pegs or announcing no score. At about half-way, Ray regained the break and made a 1k break, it is always worrying when the scorer announces the 1 over score, and he left the table with his score intact shortly after. Both players were again uncertain with the one up, and Ray left the balls short on most occasions. Later on, Phil scored a 600 odd break, which spurred Ray into hogging the table and running out a winner by just under 1k.  Both sides only had 4 players so the two top scorers Matt, and owing to the handicap Pickles, were withdrawn, and Ray topped up playing Sam in the decider. This time Ray did manage to keep scoring on a one up and slotted in an early 1k break, again with the worrying 1 over announcement. Sam started like a train and equalled Ray’s score. Ray then came back and scored a mid-sized break, and Sam was on track for a 2.3k break when his stress levels massively increased, as shown on his fitness tracker watch, and he lost that break to a 4-shot break foul. The scores continued with both players making reasonable scores, Ray was desperate to stay on the table but the shots would not drop at the Bar, and Sam was then on the table and a deficit of 800 odd with 5 balls including the red just off the side cushion between black and 50 holes. What seemed like an age was Sam’s thinking time, and he launched a 4-pin style shot to bring the red back directly into the 200 hole, but sadly for him the white did not find the 200 hole on its way back down the table but ran over the line. Ray mopped up the remaining balls to come out a winner by 1k.  Match score Jenny A 3 Cutter B 2. An excellent match played in great spirit.
 
Ashburnham Arms 4 Jenny Lind B 1 - Report by Sandy Harmer
Mick Osborne opened in the first game for the home side against Andy Horsler, Micks opening break saw him go in to the lead and wipe out Andy's advantage, although Mick was steady he was only a break away from being caught, Andy brought the fireworks with a blistering 1500 break to get him near Mick but Mick replied with a 1400 to give him a big enough lead to win the frame.  Jez Horsler continues the theme for the first player as his first break saw the opponents handicap wiped out as Jez hit a 2810 break, Dave White looked on course to take the lead with a decent break only to lose 2000 by missing the ball.  Jez added to his lead but the old whitey magic was on show again until he pegged a 1000 break, Jez ended up winning the frame but Dave's lost breaks could've changed the game.  The home side took the lead with captain Dave Pearce coming from a 1000 deficit to beat Rob Boudnik.  Dave started brightly and for the third time of the night took the lead with the opening break, Dave added two further 1k breaks, Rob struggled to get level with Dave and despite a valiant effort couldn't get to Dave's score.  The home side secured the win as Sandy Harmer broke off with a match winning break against Steve Astley to win the game on the night.  Sandy broke off with his highest break of the season with 12,910 to ensure the victory for the home side.  The visitors were clearly out of luck and the fifth game continued in that fashion with Dave White scoring a nice break to ensure the win. Alex Reardon was chasing 1800 deficit and he may inroads early on until Dave scored a 4500 break to secure the game despite Alex's best efforts.
 
Cutter A 1 Old King John 4 - Report by Tom Pope
Tonight, the Cutter welcomes the OKJ down the hill to the Old Town to knock some balls into holes.  Pete and Chris are first to play with Pete getting+800 from Chris. Chris doesn’t find the break on his first attempt while I’m not sure what Pete was doing, but he missed everything. Chris is back on and knocks in 1150 to neutralise the deficit. Pete replies with a 1700 and Chris then knocks in 630. They repeat this again and then the bar goes. Well done to Pete for not taking a single peg in that game, he must not be feeling his usual self. Cutter A 1 – OKJ 0.  Chris plays Roger next. They both have the same average. Chris kicks off, builds a break but loses it to the wood. Roger opens his account with 2830. Chris is chasing but loses another 900 to the pegs. Roger chalks up another +2500 break and wins. Cutter A 1 – OKJ 1.  Colin and Andy are next on the slate. Andy starts +8,700. Colin gets the game underway but is off the table with only 600. Andy gets to work and knocks in 2590 to extend his lead. Colin is back on and misses again. Andy comfortably wins. Cutter A 1 – OKJ 2.  Tom and Mark play next. Mark starts +700. Tom knocks in 2330 worth to take the lead. Mark puts in a break but doesn’t catch up. Tom is leading, but there only 700 in it. It could go either way. The game descends into a scrappy mess. Mark comes out on top and wins by 270. Cutter A 1 – OKJ 3.  The last game of the evening sees Alec play Nigel, with Nigel getting a +400 start. Alec only manages to draw even with his break. Nigel knocks in 1600 to retake the lead. Alec chips away at Nigel’s lead until Nigel takes to the table towards the end of the match and puts in a solid 4730 break to take the win. Good to see Nigel back having recovered from the arm surgery. A 1 – OKJ 4
Scores