Big three battle it out at the top in an exciting Oban Pool League
OBAN Pool League sponsors Gordon & Strathern Limited must have a big smile on their faces after another pulsating round of fixtures. It has now become apparent that the league table has effectively been split into three separate categories, race for the championship, race for the top five and lastly the race to avoid the dreaded wooden spoon.
With the slenderest of margins in each of the three inter-leagues it was suggested, tongue and cheek, that maybe the league committee try to re-negotiate their sponsorship deal.
Lochnell topped the official table by virtue of frame difference as they visited Markie Dans ‘A’ and their intimidating venue - notorious for being one of the most feared away matches on the pool calendar.
Markie Dans ‘A’ knew anything other than a win would certainly quash any lingering outside chance they had of lifting aloft the championship. Ultimately a lack of composure from the home side at crucial moments allowed a relieved Lochnell to vacate the premises with the two points, although they have been dislodged at the league summit.
Reigning holders the Lochavullin’s Cellar hosted Lancaster ‘B’ hoping to pile more misery on their visitor’s disappointing start to the campaign. The venue affectionately dubbed ‘The Combi Street Colosseum’ has witnessed some gladiatorial battles over the years, although this tie wasn't forecast to be one of those epic battles.
At times the roof threatened to cave in on the Lochavullin’s Cellar’s quest to retain their crown, due to the tenacious effort from the visitors.
Although falling short of defying the odds, The Lancaster ‘B’ gave a good account for themselves but unfortunately the battle-hardened champions used every ounce of their table nous to creep over the finishing line in the defining doubles.
The Lancaster ‘A’ now lead the championship charge after producing a flawless performance against league newcomers The Wide Mouthed Frog. The historians and statisticians have been trawling through the archives to check if the feat of winning a match without conceded a frame has ever been achieved.
At this point all that can be verified is that, under the new format implemented this season, no- one had previously not conceded a frame throughout a fixture, giving The Lancaster ‘ A’ bragging rights to the only impeccable display this season anyway.
The sceptics will claim a team half full of Scotland internationalists should be putting sides to the sword regularly but it was the manner of the victory that should strike fear into the hearts of their upcoming foes.
The match had been originally scheduled to take place at The Lancaster Hotel but was switched to allow The Wide Mouthed Frog to stay open with the bulk of their staff fulfilling their scorecard. It was the same staff who recently contributed to the establishment winning a prestigious award for best hotel within the area and the mid-break meatballs dished up certainly done nothing to tarnish their growing reputation. At least temporarily they slowed down The Lancaster ‘A’ juggernaut, but the bigger challenge will be building a team capable of replicating their culinary delights.
As the top trio continue to disappear into the stratosphere, the battle for an elusive top five spot has just cranked up a notch. Markie Dan’s ‘A’ sit fourth despite their defeat and would be many people’s favourites to secure a coveted spot but hot on their heels are the Gluepot after a convincing victory over The Lochavullin.
The concluding tie saw the second whitewash of the week with Markie Dan’s ‘B’ overpowering basement boys Outreach. Buoyed from the previous week’s point against their senior counterparts, Markie Dan’s ‘B’ looked like a different team to the one that started the season and were brimming with confidence from the opening lag.
Another fruitless result keeps The Outreach marooned at the bottom with only The Wide Mouthed Frog keeping them company as the two look set to battle it out for the wooden spoon.
Results: January 14 - Lochavullin’s Cellar 8- 4 Lancaster B; Wide Mouthed Frog 0-12 Lancaster A; Markie Dan’s A 4- 8 Lochnell; Outreach 0-12 Markie Dan’s B; Gluepot 10-2 Lochavullin.
Fixtures: January 21 - Wide Mouthed Frog v Lochavullins Cellar; Lancaster A v Lochnell; Lochavullin v Markie Dan’s A; Lancaster B v Outreach; Markie Dan’s B v Gluepot.