National 4-Pin Team Championship 2024

[tommo III]

ATTENTION REDHILL 4-PINNERS .....

In accordance with our tradition of a few years' standing, the "Surrey Blue Jays" will be attending the National 4-Pin Team Championship, also known as the "Chris Cass Memorial 4 x 4" to be held in Sudbury this year on Sat 31st August. Our team this year will be: John Slee, David Jones, Caroline Jones and Yours truly.

The date of Sat 30th November has been set for the 2nd 4-Pin Inter-Counties, with Surrey hosting a competition for up to 6 teams at the Inn On The Green, Ockley.

In advance of these competitions, Michael Wilson and I are hoping to organise two or three friendly 5-a-sides (Redhill vs Crawley) on Tuesdays or Wednesdays during the month of August, the first of these to be held at the Old Chestnut, Earlswood - to help break them in for next season when hopefully they enter the Redhill League. A return match will be held either at the Windmill Crawley or the Inn On The Green - or both. 

If you are interested in taking part in one or more of these challenges, please contact Michael or myself, as we will be recruiting players once the Earlswood date is announced.

[tommo III]

Jul 21, 2024 17:44:47 GMT tommo III said:

ATTENTION REDHILL 4-PINNERS .....

......  In advance of these competitions, Michael Wilson and I are hoping to organise two or three friendly 5-a-sides (Redhill vs Crawley) on Tuesdays or Wednesdays during the month of August, the first of these to be held at the Old Chestnut, Earlswood - to help break them in for next season when hopefully they enter the Redhill League. A return match will be held either at the Windmill Crawley or the Inn On The Green - or both. 
If you are interested in taking part in one or more of these challenges, please contact Michael or myself, as we will be recruiting players once the Earlswood date is announced.

Friendlies pencilled in:

• Wed 21st Aug Redhill v Crawley at the Old Chestnut;
  
• Wed 28th Aug Crawley v Redhill at the Windmill.

[tommo III]

Aug 3, 2024 15:10:28 GMT tommo III said:

Friendlies pencilled in:

• Wed 21st Aug Redhill v Crawley at the Old Chestnut;
  
• Wed 28th Aug Crawley v Redhill at the Windmill.

These are now firm dates .... 4-a-side, 8.30pm start.

[gandalf the untidy]

Hi Tommo
Sorry only just saw this thread

Hastings have 2 teams in Sudbury on 31st

And are happy to put a team in the inter counties tournament on 30th Nov

[tommo III]

Thanks Gandalf,
What you see above is the first of three matches by way of our preparation for the Chris Cass 4x4 at Sudbury.
I note you're getting plenty of 4-pin practice in too, with your Hastings Summer League. 
I'm sure Mid Sussex/Lewes will take you up on an Interleague challenge again at the HHSC if you ask them nicely ..... contact Ian or Sparky.

[tommo III]

Result of the first of either 2 or 3 Interleague 4-Pin challenges.
(Played at the Old Chestnut, Earlswood, 21/8/2024)

REDHILL	4	CRAWLEY	3
Michael Wilson	1070	Clive Thompson	2520
Abbey Balchin	730	Paul Jobbins	1280
David Jones	1660	Margo Thompson	700
Caroline Jones	W/o	Paul Trottman	scr.
Caroline Jones	780	Clive Thompson	1620
David Jones	1300	Margo Thompson	520
Michael Wilson	1620	Paul Jobbins	1290

First competitive bar billiards of any kind this century for the Old Chestnut, who have just joined the Redhill League for the coming season.
This was originally planned as a 4-a-side, but unfortunately Trotter had car trouble and couldn't make it, so it morphed into a 6 frame match.
The best game was saved till last with a thrilling decider: 
Michael, having sorted out his game, edged a thousand ahead with a brilliant 970 break and looked safe until P.J. pulled off a good shot off the back cush for 400, to get within 200.
The bar went soon after that and we were ready to 'hiss' should Michael lose the red. Despite his best efforts he didn't, and the last-ball specialist P.J. stepped up to the plate. Good job we hadn't put our house on it, as he pulled up about an inch short. Michael then potted an up-and-back shot to the 50 to take the match.

[billiardsmichael]

Aug 22, 2024 9:23:15 GMT tommo III said:

P.J. pulled off a good shot off the back cush for 400, to get within 200.

P.J. took it quite rightly, but I would question whether it was intentional... 

Thankfully the speedy Chestnut cloth saved me when the red in the 200 was required again at the end!!!

[tommo III]

Result of the return Interleague 4-Pin challenge between Redhill and Crawley:
(Played at the Windmill, Gossops Green on 28/8/2024)

CRAWLEY	1.5	REDHILL	3.5
Clive Thompson	1400	Joe Elleson	1400
Margo Thompson	1060	Abbey Balchin	1090
Paul Jobbins	1100	Michael Wilson	1870
Johnny Haigh	1120	David Jones	1750
John Slee	1790	Caroline Jones	530

breaks: Michael 650; David 890; John S 690.

Some close games on the uber-fast and uphill Windmill top, with plenty of opportunities for "up and backs" to the 50s, 100s and in Sleezy's case, the 200 (with red of course). 
A rare 'tie' in the first leg, Joe outplaying me most of the game and losing the red after the bar to hissing noises from the home team.  I calculated correctly at the end and left myself 200 for the tie which to my surprise I managed to pot.

A convivial evening, only downer being Slee leaving his wallet behind. (In safe custody until Sat morning when we leave for Sudbury.)

[tommo III]

Aug 28, 2024 23:08:40 GMT tommo III said:

..... only downer being Slee leaving his wallet behind. (In safe custody until Sat morning when we leave for Sudbury.)

Panic over, the two have now been reunited !