Report: Brian Brighouse

With 7 rounds of league matches to go Bar 22 extended their lead at the top of the table to 10 points after a fine 6 (7) -1 victory over the Farmers - the match saw Paul Judge in fine form as he recorded his second 8-ball of the season.

The Queen Inn and the 22 Club both sit 10 points behind Bar 22 on 78 points, the Aughton Street team won 6 (7) – 1 away at La Cantina B while the Moorgate outfit had a fine 5 (6) -2 win over the Railway, and currently, the ‘Inn’ are pipping their local rivals for second spot because they have won 77 frames so far, the 22 Club have won 76.

The clash of the week saw the Bridge come away with a 4 (5) – 3 win over the Stanley Club. The Bridge sit on 74 points while the Stanley are two behind on 72.

At the moment it looks like the chase for the 2^nd and 3^rd positions will be between those 4 teams, The Queen Inn, The 22 Club, The Bridge and The Stanley Club.

Unfortunately, the Queens Head were unable to field a trip for their excursion to Shaw Hall, the 8-points Shaw Hall received for this shoots them into 6^th place but they are 11 points behind the Stanley.

The 6^th placed team, La Cantina A made the trip along the A59 to Burscough to visit the Bridge Dogs. The visitors lost by the odd game and as a result dropped to 7^th though they are just one point behind Shaw Hall.

The tie of the week this week looks to be between the 2^nd and 3^rd placed teams at the Bridge.

The aforementioned Paul Judge leads the way for the player of the year tile, Paul has won 10 of the 12 (85.7%) singles matches he has played.But there are plenty of people in close proximity, Barry Foster of the 22 Club has won 11 of the 13 (84.6%) of the games he has played. Ryan Griffin (Stanley Club) and Joe Smith (The Bridge) have both won 9 of the 11 (81.8%) games they have played.

Of the rest Ian Macgregor (Stanley Club) has won all of his 8 games played, if he continues with this impressive performance he will be in contention. But it’s worth remembering that to be in contention you have to have played in at least 66% of available matches, as there are 22 league fixtures a player must have played in 15 league singles matches to qualify.

Teams need to start thinking of their player of the year. We are introducing a new trophy this year for each teams player of the year, its up to teams how they judge that but if you want to take performance in the league singles into account the details are available on our league website www.poollleaguesuk.com