Chasing pack

WITH runaway leaders Sandstorm A having a free week, there was an opportunity for the chasing pack to narrow that gap, for the time being at least.

Crosby A who were back to full strength were first to make the assault, when they entertained Argyle A, and with Charlie Williams and Co in fine form, the 8-2 scoreline was just what the doctor ordered.

Sandstorm C went one better, beating an understrength Rainford 9-1.

Jordan Pipet certainly deserved all the plaudits with a match winning performance, whilst Rob Midgley grabbed the visitors’ lone point.

Sandstorm B travelled to Formby Village A, and with the hosts unveiling their new premises, a two table, two match venue, and then with Ray Hibbs playing in the match, he didn’t take much persuading to take his camera along as well for a quick looksie!

The venue is in the church hall next to the Beaufort Hall in the grounds of Holy Trinity Church, so a pretty handy solution was found.

But it wasn’t the start they would have wanted as the visitors rattled off a maximum win, which put them in second place eight points behind their A team, who ominously have two matches in hand of the chasing pack.

Back to that match though, where there were some very good performances from the hosts.

Barry Davis, Mal Kent, Colin Mitchell and Dave Stoddern all made it hard work for Phil Petts and company, so good luck with the new venue, I’m sure there will be more to come from there.

Finally, Southport

Aovercame a slightly below strength Crosby B 7-3 where a decisive full quota of wins from Jonny Cummins looked to have been the difference between the sides.

In Division Two, we headed straight off to Princes St for our main feature match between second placed Sandstorm D and Formby Village B.

Expectation was naturally high for the hosts, but Formby’s Ted Cramsie gave them a quiet reminder after he put his side ahead with a convincing three straight win over Martyn Coleman, who just couldn’t get going.

It was time already to steady the ship so who better to do that than Nick Wilson who was up next to face Janette Hutchings.

As the first game progressed Nick seemed to have a bout of the collywobbles whilst Janette played extremely well, making the Sandstorm number one play catch up, until finally he found his touch and just salvaged the first game 12-10.

With that game out of the way Nick went on to take the next two to tie it up at 1-1.

Dave Britton then put his side ahead after a momentous five game battle against Ned Hassan clinching the fifth 11-7.

It was soon 3-1 after Roger Neal overcame Audrey McGing in the closest of games,17-15, 11-6, 13-11 before Ned and Ted pulled one back by beating Nick and Martyn in three straight.

Obviously those collywobbles were back, and it was 3-2 for the hosts.

Second doubles pairing of Dave and Roger then restored some order, but only just, after a close 11-7, 8-11, 4-11, 12-10, 11-5 win versus Janette and Audrey.

Another epic five game victory from Nick over the unlucky Ned, (what a night he has had) made the match safe at 5-2, and