Redhill League 22/23 Week 18 - 14/03/2023

[tommo III]

Fixtures for 14/03/2023:

MVC B 2, Nomads 3
SPCC A 5, Horley CC 0
Jolly Bricks 2, Salfords B 3
Reigate Ex 1, MVC A 4
Salfords A 1.5, SPCC B 3.5
Salfords Y 3, Old Oak 2

[billiardsmichael]

MVC B	2	v	3	Nomads
Bud*	1630	-	3350	Dave
Geoff	7320	-	1080	*Jemima
Gary	4970	-	6510	*Michael
Colin	2990	-	4540	*Max
Tony	3630	-	490	*JP

A fortnight ago on a chilly night at South Park Merstham knocked the Nomads out of the Presidents Cup in a thrilling game that went to a last leg decider. Tonight, the Nomads had one thing on their minds, that was to get their own back. Despite title rivals SPCC A having done the double over Merstham this year, they were the sole blotches on the MVCB copybook and they held a five point lead at the top.

First up was Bud and the Nomads new recruit Dave. Max, being the cheerful chap he is, introduced himself after the match, "Hi, I'm Max. You must be Dave? It's great to meet you, I hear you were the 1996 world champion!!" To be fair to Max, Jemima had given him this false piece of information, and there really could be no better introduction of Max to the BBWizard than that opening line. On the table Bud struggled and was off with less than 1000. As if by magic Dave cleared the balls serenely and set about building a lead - but, after just 2k, Dave left the white short of the 100 and he was off. This gave Bud a good opportunity only being a k down, but Dave had cast his spell and soon had the balls back. Hold on a minute though, the magic touch suddenly wore off, 2k in and the white whipped out of the 100 and took out the peg! The final few minutes were a nervy affair, but new-boy Dave got over the line to put the Nomads ahead. 1-0.

Next up was Jemima and Geoff. Sadly Jemima couldn't take advantage if the break and the table immediately went scrappy, with 6/7 balls scattered across the back. Geoff appeared to be getting frustrated with the table but, almost from nowhere, he clicked into gear mopping up the balls and playing to the bar for a 6k break. It left Jemima scratching her back, literally. She undid the cue and used it as a back massager - clearly a swiss-army cue. 1-1.

Third on Michael had the break against Gary. Having been frozen out against Colin a fortnight ago Michael was determined to make use of his break. He was also aware this could be his last chance to snatch back the Div B neutral high break, so Tommo will no doubt be delighted to hear he broke down on 630. Ah no sorry that was wrong, he made 6350. Windmill rivalry aside Michael knew that this wasn't enough. An expert clear from Gary and he set about the chase. But on 3k a 10 split went wrong and Gary was off! It was then the classic battle of who can get the break, but it just wasn't going for either player. Eventually Gary did manage to get them back, but by then it was too late. 2-1.

At this point, the Maxi taxi was in town. Now Max has carved a bit of a reputation out now, having made his competitive high break of just over 6k on the Merstham top just a week before and a stunning comeback win against Geoff in the cup - Colin was more than aware of the challenge he would face. In typical Max fashion though, he didn't quite get going, coming off after just over a k, and after a little bit of play at the back Colin was on his way. But as had been shown so many times before, this was not a night where the table was happy to play ball. Colin came off having added 2.5k and once again the balls started to stack up at the back of the table. Max, however, has always been reliable in a time of crisis and just when all could have been lost he cleared the balls magnificently. Two minutes to go and he just needed to play to the bar again. We'd seen this before, against Sleezy, Genette and Geoff, and we always know that there could be drama. The bar went, Max just needed to tap up. He decided to roll to the 50s, the problem was, though, that he had a bad angle and left a white worryingly central. Despite the 100 whipping all night Max decided to try and drop it in the 100 and, of course, it whipped out. Hearts were in mouths and the relief was palpable after it was clear the pegs were safe. He'd done it. Again. Flirty wirty Maxy Burty - what a superstar. 3-1.

After all that drama, the Nomads' player of the season, JP, stepped up but it was clear that the gentle ribbing he'd received from Karl wasn't helping him. Tony couldn't get into his rhythm, but an early 1.9k break was enough for the frame. He later went on to make a remarkable clear which baffled his own teammates. One comment was "I said get it down the 30, but I didn't mean that one" and the scorer was constantly baffled by some, interesting shot choices. In fact he had to be prompted by Max to say "one" after one particularly crazy shot removed the ability to speak! After all that drama though, Tony came out the comfortable winner. 3-2.

So a great night for the Nomads, the Div B leaders taking a huge win against the Div A leaders and exacting some payback for the cup defeat. A great night for the underdogs... and SPCC A.

[tommo III]

Two entertaining matches played tonight at Salfords:

Salfords A 1.5, SPCC B 3.5
For the hosts, a mightily impressive win for Josh Stevens v Genette.
And drama in the last game between Zoe Stevens and Pete: Pete managing a frame saving break - doing everything but win - for a Tie ! 
SPCC B had three winners though in Mick, Denise and Martin P.


Salfords Y 3, Old Oak 2
Fritz 4170, *Charlie 1650 (Charlie good early on, then one good break secured it for Fritz)
*Karen 2120, Clive 4350 (Karen made the early running, I didn't get 'em back until half way through but then a 3k break sealed it)
Neville 6540, *Paul 2770 (Nev played this one like a pro, top-scoring with a fabulous 6k break)
*Anita 1860, Martin G 3520 (a good break towards the end put Martin 1k ahead, Anita unlucky not to clear one last time)
Sue 3040, *Rebecca 720 (super-sub for Covid-stricken Nick - get well soon m8)
Bizarrely, all games being won against the break .....
A good match played in good (but rarified ?) atmosphere, capped with some nice sarnies (coronation chicken, salmon and cucumber) and quiche.


 

[johnslee]

Spcc A       5       Horley CC      0

Laurie     8580       Aaron    1580
Vern        5830       Roland  4910
John       7220       Alex       2460
Dave       5640       Chris     2650
Junkie    8990       Aaron    1220 4 player

First up Aaron  and  Laurie. Aaron on with the break but broke down early. Chances both ways but after a few more 
Exchanges Laurie cleared the table and made a superb 7k break a d tap. Just time for Aaron to make a last few before 
The end.

Game 2 Skipper and Roly. What a great frame with Roland very steadily making the best part of 5k in 10 mins odd.Vern
Clearing the balls and set about chasing the target. A magnificent play out break of various splits saw the leg one. A
Shot each.

Leg 3 and renewed rivalry with  Alex. Alex on but off unusually early. I was next to get them back but an awful 50 shot
And I was off. Chasing the balls around a bit but managed to clear up again and 7k and tap was enough for 3-0 lead.

4th up DC and Chris. Chris broke down early and Dave with a couple of steady breaks took a good lead. A nice friendly 
Game from then on with plenty of encouragement for Chris who eventually made a late 1700 break. 

Junkie on against Aaron again ( 4 player) . Junkie off with a useful 3k starting break. Aaron struggling to get going 
John with a mixture of splits and pots made another 3k. A few more shots each and Deja vous Junkie at it again adding
More for a near 9k score.

A nice evening with the Horley lads as always and a terrific 5-0 for us. Probably one of our finest all round team performances
Of the season especially in the news that came from Mvc. Now down to 2pt lead. Game on and Denise goes top of
Player of the year !!