Report: Brian Brighouse

After five matches La Cantina A hold a two-point lead at the top of the table, amassing 30 points and winning four of the five matches they played so far.

This time around they beat newcomers, The Pinewoods 6(7) – 1; new teams often find the challenges of playing in the league are quite different to those playing ‘fun’ games in their local club/pub. They shouldn’t lose heart because players quickly adapt to the different pressures of league play, as I am sure other teams who have entered the league will tell them,

Two points behind the La Cantina crew are last years runners-up the Bridge, this week the Bridge came away from the Queen Inn after winning by the odd game. They have also won 4 of their 5 matches as have their opponents, in fact the top 6 teams have won 4 out of 5 matches. The ‘inn’ sit in 4^th place on 25 points.

Their league position though is also based on the number of individual frames won, a team scores 1 point for each game won, with the winning team gaining a bonus point.

The Stanley, currently in 3^rd and a point ahead of the Queen Inn at this early stage lost for the first time this season. They lost by the odd game at the Farmers, the Farmers sit in 7^th place, nine points off the pace.

Last year's champions, Bar 22 continue their run of good results after being defeated in the first match of the season. This week they beat the Eureka 5(6) -2 to share 4^th spot with the aforementioned Queen Inn.

The Bridge Dogs continued their excellent start to the season, this time around they beat Shaw Hall A 5(6) – 2, they sit in 6^th place with 24 points.

Elsewhere Shaw Hall Caravan Park beat the Railway by the odd game, and La Cantina came away from Whittakers with a similar result.

Three players have won all four games played and therefore lead the early challenge for player of the year, they are Martin Gallego (Stanley Club), Adam Pearce (Queen Inn) and Harry White (La Cantina A).