Report: Brian Brighouse

With just three rounds of matches to go, Bar 22 need just 14 points to ensure they end the season as champions. As two of three outstanding matches are against The Bridge and The Queen Inn it's likely it will be less than that if they take any points away from those games.In this round of matches the Railway defeated Bar 22 by the odd game, this result sees Bar 22 move on to 113 points; it has been a remarkable season for the team from Moorgate as this was only their 4^th defeat in 19 league matches.Their closest challengers beat the Queens Head 7 -1, the ‘Head’ would have won a second game but unfortunately, they played 2 unregistered players in the doubles game they won. But I am pleased to report those players have now been registered, and has a good sign for next season they are sending 5 players to matches.Two of the other challengers for trophies clashed, the Stanley Club came away winning by the odd game at their match with the 22 Club. The ‘Stanley’ sit in 3^rd with 99 points, 4 behind the Bridge, while the players from 22 Club seem to have slipped a little off the pace at the moment, they remain in 5^th on 90 points.In between those two we find last years champions, the Queen Inn who had a fine 6 (7) win on their travels to La Cantina A. The ‘Inn’ are just one point behind the ‘Stanley’ and at the moment it looks like the chase for 2^nd and 3^rd place is between the Bridge, The Stanley Club and The Queen Inn.The Bridge Dogs came away from Shaw Hall with a solid 5 (6) – 2 victory, the defeat keeps the team from Shaw Hall in 7^th just behind LA Cantina A.In the final game of the week the Farmers took maximum points against LA Cantina B, helped by the away team failing to bring along sufficient players. But this result had no bearing on league positions, The Farmers remain in 1oth spot with La Cantina B just below them.It’s still very tight in the race for player of the year, Paul Judge (Bar 22) continues to lead on 88.2%.Impressively Paul has won 15 of the 17 singles league matches he has played. However, just behind him we find Joe Smith (The Bridge) on 86.7%, Joe has won 13 of the 15 singles matches he has played.The tie of the week this week sees Bar 22 host the Bridge at the Moorgate venue.After this week there are two weeks break from the league for Easter, the league returns at the beginning of May for what looks like being an exciting climax.We now have a venue for the presentation night, to take place at Shaw Hall Caravan Park on Saturday 13^th July. The venue will host the final of League Cup on that night - it needs to be hosted by a team that are no longer in the cup and Shaw Hall fit the bill, and I am sure they will put on a good night for us.