Lord Of The Pots - The Return Of The Swanny

Here is a quote from last weeks blog:

" how can we take three frames from the Irish but only two against the Nomads?"

Having lost to the Nomads by a greater margin that our loss to the Irish was bad enough. The last thing we could do with was a visit from Pat Phelan & James Harness and their Country 'A' chums the following week. The form book makes the Windsor crowd heavy favourites.

And yet, from the ashes of defeat, could the phoenix rise from the flames...

It started off predictably enough. Lee won, I lost. He was massive against one of the aforementioned "Country A Chums". I lost against James Harness, played well, ref missed a foul that would have won me the game, and James proceeded to treble the black in to the bottom corner. OK I wasn't massive but perhaps a little unlucky.

There was a crucial twist in the "Battle Of The Budg" - more on that later.

With only one other winner in the first half we were 4-2 down and heading for another defeat.

The second half of the match was nothing short of remarkable. Not only were we boosted by the winning return of Martin "budg" Burke, but Swanny won his second match of the evening, as did Lee and with two games to go we were 5-5!

Surely there was plenty of time to throw it away...Fitz played the eleventh frame and played what can only be described as perfect pool. That is I could describe it like that if I was lying, because in actual fact he contrived to play terribly, get in a winning position, and throw it away with three balls over the bag and the black hanging.

6-5 down and the scene was set. The crowd were jockeying for position. The best seats in the house were taken. There was a buzz of excitement in the air. Snowy was at the bar getting lashed up. The final game threw together two giants of the modern game - players with a bit of recent history. It was a grudge match, and I was playing against the man who, until a few weeks ago, would not even shake my hand. The Rodster.

The turning point of the game came when I cleared to the black and rattled it over the bottom pocket, covering Rods yellow at the same time. I could hear Lee shouting for me - or rather I could hear him shouting something. I think it was a reggae song. Anyhow despite my nerves I played three good tactical shots and induced the game-winning foul from Rod.

Did I say something about a form-book? Tear it up because we got a 6-6 draw from 4-2 behind against the Windsor Wanderers.

*Battle Of the Budg Update*

With Swanny winning two games this week the battle to avoid finishing last took what could be a decisive twist. He has now won 6 out of 21 games giving him an average of 28.6%. Interestingly the introduction of Morrel a few weeks ago could save Mike finishing last. Morrel has injured his shoulder, but managed one game this season which he lost. Mike single victory this season could yet be enough.

*Averages*

For your amusement and delight here are the averages for this season:

Lee 69.2% (played 26 won 18)
Martin 60.8% (23/14)
Tizzie 61.1% (18/11)
Darryl 57.1%(14/8)
Kevin "Wooburn Massive" 40.9% (22/9)
Elroy 35.0% (20/7)
Fitz 34.7% (23/8)
Mark 28.6% (21/6)
Craig 22% (9/2)
Mike 6.6% (15/1)
Morrel 0% (1/0)

No game for the next three weeks, so am off to racks for practice. Next update after our next league game on Thursday 23rd March.

A Tale Of Two Shittys

The good thing about playing for our team is that we are all a great bunch of lads and I really enjoy my night out with them. The bad thing is you never ever can predict a result.

Take our last two games. On successive weeks we played the Irish Club & the team formerly known as the New Berkshire Potters - The Windsor Nomads. These are two teams that, Julian Jacques apart, could not be more different. One is full of top quality players who can pot a ball off the chandeliers; the other plays at the Irish Club. Ba-da-Boom.

Before the Irish club match I considered we might win 2 or 3 frames, and that (with a bit of luck) we might follow that with a win over the Nomads. The target was 10 frames from the two matches.

Against the Irish I played my best frame of the season and with Lee also winning we were quickly 2-0 up. One bad shot in the second half cost me the frame against Terry Dingley, and with only Elroy winning in the second half we lost 9-3.

I was pleased with the way I was playing, and I moved into the last Thursday's 'Nomads' game with renewed confidence - at least I could win two games and get to 50% for the season?

Having the bare minimum six players didnt help, but it was the same six who took three frames from the Irish so I thought a draw was a realistic aim.

It started well - Lee won. Lee always wins. I think that he is probably the most under-rated player around. He is not the best potter in the league, but when you understand the rules as well as him, and you play to your strengths as well as he does you cant fail to at least compete in every match you play.

I played second, had four visits, one of which was a break, and I lost with more of a whimper that a bang. In the second half I was so desparate to win against Julian Jacques that I missed several sitters and gifted him the game. I lost both. I was tiny and he, and he was massive (as it were).

Lee won again in the second half - but no one else could even get close to winning and we lost the match 10-2. Unbelieveable. How can we take 3 frames from the Irish and only 2 against the Nomads?

The simple answer is usually the right one - we are not good enough. We do not have enough players who can win matches. Simple.