Hastings weekly report by Andy Ellison

[gandalf the untidy]

Week 18
After the break week, competition resumed in the Hastings Bar Billiards League Handicap Competition with three tight matches. Ashburnham Arms retained their lead despite a narrow defeat at Jenny Lind A. Billy Skinner put the home side ahead by taking the opener, but Dave Pearce replied for the leaders with his highest-ever break of 3710 taking him to a narrow win. Skipper Sandy Harmer consolidated with the next for Ash to establish a 2-1 lead but the home side were not to be denied and Denis Cole and Andrew Lipscombe prevailed in two more tightly-contested frames to set up the 3-2 victory for Jenny A.

Second-placed Jenny Lind B went down by a similar score at Nags Head B meaning that nothing changed at the top. Ian Hicks took the first for Jenny B but Peter Payne maintained his good-scoring record with 6760 for a win in the second. Linda Challis put the visitors back in front by taking the third before Fred Pope kept his head to win a close encounter in the fourth. Colin Southouse stepped up to provide the one decisive result for Nags A in the final
frame with a total of 9220 and ensure the 3-2 success for Nags B.

There were more tight contests at Old King John who entertained Nags Head A. Clive Minihane took the first for Nags A by 10 points, the narrowest of possible margins. Chris Lamb levelled things in the next for the home side with a last ball victory, whilst Andy Ellison was on target as well for OKJ. Chris Hayne's contribution proved pivotal on the night as he followed up an earlier success with the best total of
the night of 6430 in the last game to secure the 3-2 winning scoreline for Nags A.

Chris Haynes also provided the sole consolation win for Hastings B as they lost the lead in Sussex Inter-League Division 3 after a shock 6-1 defeat away to Brighton C. Senior side Hastings A had their match postponed.

[gandalf the untidy]

Week 19

Nags Head A go into the final week of competition in the Handicap Tournament of the Hastings Bar Billiards League having laid down a challenge for the title with a convincing victory over Jenny Lind B. On a night of consistently high scoring Chris Haynes recorded 5200 in his opening frame win for Nags A. Steve Astley ensured that Nags A did not have it all their own way with a win for Jenny B in the next, but then Nags A's Jamie Minihane hit the evening's highest total with a winning 9600. Mick Reilly enjoyed a return to his best form with two wins, including 5230 in the concluding frame to see Nags A through to the 4-1 winning scoreline.

Ashburnham Arms retain a 6 point lead however, despite a 3-2 loss to visitors Old King John. There was more good scoring as Andy Ellison won the first for OKJ with 5230 but Dave White claimed the next for Ash, needing 6520 to ensure a narrow win. Ash skipper Sandy Harmer put the leaders ahead with an excellent 10430 total before Garry Tomlin and Mark Bailey claimed the last two frames to give the 3-2 victory on the night to holders OKJ.

There was a rare tied frame in the match between Jenny Lind A and Nags Head B. Ray Norton and Nick Speight gave Jenny A a 2-0 advantage but Colin Southouse narrowed the gap for Nags B with a 9160 winning score. Denis Cole and Janet Southouse battled out the tied game before Robert Holtum marked his debut in bar billiards with a last game win that secured the overall win for Jenny A.