Last report of the year from Brian Brighouse

This week saw the last team matches of 2018, it was the 3rd week of fixtures in the League Cup. We are now half way through the group stages of the cup, with the second round of matches due to be played in February 2019.

The Bridge’s strong performance in League A continued with a 5 (6) – 2 win over last years League Champions the Queen Inn. The Bridge are 7 points ahead of the nearest rivals, this year’s league leaders, Bar 22. The ‘Bar’ found itself losing more ground after suffering a 4 (5) – 3 reversal at Shaw Hall.

But it’s all very close in that league, the halfway stage sees the Bar on 11 points, Shaw Hall on 9 and the Queen Inn on eight. So its still all to play for when we resume,

In League B the two unbeaten sides met, but the match ended with the Stanley Club whitewashing the Farmers 7 (8) – 0. In particularly good form was the clubs Ian McGregor who didn’t even give his opponent the luxury of a single shot!

This result saw the ‘Club’ open up a 9-point lead over their opponents and nearest rival the Farmers. La Cantina A moved on to 12 points, just one behind the Farmers as they clashed with the out of form Queen’s Head. The ‘A team recording a 6 (7) – 1 victory.

In league C there was only one match with the Railway winning the odd game over the 22 Club. This result means the Bridge Dogs sit on top of this particular tree at Christmas with 10 points. The Railway have 8 points and the 22 Club 6.

The race for the two best placed 3rd teams is very tight...

League A: Shaw Hall have won 9 of the 21 games they have played 42.85%
League B: La Cantina A have won 11 of the 21 games they have played 52.38%
League C: The 22 Club have won 6 out of the 14 games they have played 42.85%

If this trend is repeated at the end of the group stage LA Cantina A would automatically qualify for the 7th spot in the knockout stage. Shaw Hall and the 22 Club would have to play a one off match at a neutral venue to decide who gained 8th place.

But with 50% of the group matches to play everything can change!