Lancaster beat Lochnell in top of the table clash

THE OBAN Pool League provided the full complement of fixtures again last week. But only one contest truly captivated the imagination of the neutrals.

The eagerly-awaited collision between the Lancaster ‘ A’ and Lochnell was without a doubt the box office tie with the four other matches taking subsidiary status, such was the magnitude of the clash.

No public relations stunts or false advertising were required: both undefeated, both top, two thirds of the league’s triumvirate and both looking to end the championship dominance of the Lochavullin’s Cellar.

Originally scheduled to take place across the Connel Bridge with Loch Etive as the backdrop, the fixture had been put into doubt with the Lochnell premises closed whilst the proprietors enjoyed some well- earned sunshine.

Lancaster ‘A’ rather charitably forfeited home advantage and reversed the fixture to allow the match to go ahead, using ‘ The Pool Pit’ as opposed to their own table which was being used by their ‘B’ team.

Affectionately dubbed ‘The Theatre Of Dreams’, the venue had served the Lancaster ‘A’ well so far this campaign, so conceding home advantage so easily could have been construed as arrogance and their unrelenting confidence ironically self-inducing a nightmare.

The much deliberated scorecard comprised no fewer than seven undefeated individuals as the game commenced, a figure to be less than halved come the conclusion of the night.

So far this season Lancaster ‘A’ have come out of the traps like pedigree greyhounds in the doubles, hence their sole ownership of top spot in the relevant championship. This has fast become an envious trait which was to persist as their more fluent pairings simply manipulated and outmanoeuvred the less cohesive duos of the visitors to race into early supremacy.

The singles saw the pool prizefighters trading clearances and jibes in equal measures as the camaraderie was as evident as the high class level of pool being served up.

Several household names had to square off and relinquish their standings in the player of the year award, but that played second fiddle to winning a coveted point for their team of contenders.

Ultimately it was in the crowning singles that the Lancaster ‘A’ delivered the telling blow to the solar plexus of the Lochnell and unsurprisingly their resolute double-acts finished the job off before the Ben Lora boys could reach for their defibrillators.

It would be premature to profess the result as decisive in the title race, but it could certainly prove to be instructive.

Lochnell don’t have long to lick their wounds and will have to pick themselves up from the canvas quickly as tonight’s opponents Lochavullin’s Cellar will certainly be looking to all but end their title challenge.

Defending champions Lochavullin’s Cellar will enter tonight’s match undefeated and second only by game difference after a comprehensive victory on their travels to Dunstaffnage.

Once again the Wide Mouthed Frog’s mid-break feast proved to be their most potent weapon against another of the league’s elite outfits. Despite receiving glowing reports from all visiting teams, it’s not gaining them any points on the table.

The reigning holders cruised to the two points, although they would have hoped to have eroded some of the game difference which the Lancaster ‘A’ have in their favour.

Markie Dans ‘A’ might just be watching over their shoulder in fourth spot, despite thumping an under-performing Lochavullin.

A return to winning ways is always desirable after a confidence quashing defeat and Markie Dans ‘A’ certainly looked to have returned to their flamboyant selves in an excellent all round display, probably confining the Lochavullin to a bottom half finish in the process.

The Gluepot also recorded a resounding win for the second consecutive week meaning they are just one point behind after overpowering Markie Dans ‘B’.

Quietly the Gluepot have ascended up the league table almost undetected after a sluggish start, raising the question of why it took so long for their season to take off?

In sixth place, but very much in contention for a top half finish, are Lancaster ‘B’ after whitewashing compratiots Outreach.

Unfazed by the glamour tie within the same building the Lancaster ‘B’ were merciless as they put friendships to one side to remain hot on the heels of both Markie Dan’s ‘A’ and The Gluepot.

With a far more favourable run-in to the half-way mark, they have realistic desires of a top five position if they can hold up their end of the bargain.

Results 21/1/16 - Markie Dans B 3-9 Gluepot; Lancaster B 12- 0 Outreach; Wide Mouthed Frog 3-9 Lochavullin’s Cellar; Lochavullin 2-10 Markie Dans A; Lancaster A 8- 4 Lochnell.

Fixtures 28/1/16 - Lochavullin’s Cellar v Lochnell; Lancaster A v Markie Dans A; Outreach v Wide Mouthed Frog; Gluepot v Lancaster B; Markie Dans B v Lochavullin