By New Scunthorpe Pool League competition springs shock results
The Scunthorpe Pool League trialled a new team competition for the first time in more than 10 years and it threw up some shock results.
The new divisional team KO competition has sparked intrigue across the league’s members, with a number of struggling sides reaching the semi-finals.
In Division One, league leaders Mulligans Trojans ensured they made it through to the semi-finals by the skin of their teeth, narrowly overcoming Broughton Club Pirates 5-4 and rock-bottom Redbourne Mods 5-3.
They are joined in the draw by club mates Majestic Sausage Dogs, who claimed a 5-4 away win at fourth-placed Showman’s Chaos, while Showman’s Army quickly dispatched the Cobras 5-1.
The big result of the day came at Beacon, as title contenders Showmans Fu Cue were dumped out by seventh-placed Beacon A. Fu Cue went into the doubles with a 4-2 advantage, but Beacon completed a clean sweep with Neasham and Brown getting the hosts over the line.
Winterton Jubilee are on course for a Division Two league and cup double this season. This week they progressed to the semis of the cup in convincing style, seeing off Winterton Jubilee 5-2 away from home.
Fellow villagers Messingham Crown also reached the semis via the same score line against Fedoras, while Cocked Hat B required a doubles decider to get over the line against RAOB as Cuthbert and Cowell kept their nerve.
Mill Road Black Cats completed the semi-finals lineup after they convincingly beat Brumby Hall A 5-1.
Division three league leaders Ashby Crown and runners-up Bottesford Town A were shown the exit door this week, with both suffering surprise defeats.
Harry’s Bar pairing Spencer and Singh claimed the decisive doubles frame against leaders and local rivals Ashby Crown A to win 5-3.
Pig and Whistle somehow secured an excellent 5-2 away win at Bottesford Town B with only five players. The hosts needed to be as close to perfect as possible to stand any chance of progressing and they managed to do so with flying colours.
Showman’s Spartans also reached the semis with an eye-catching 5-1 win over Mulligans ST, while Cocked Hat A made sure the other Mulligans side, Tight Rack, suffered the same fate with a 5-1 victory.
In Division Four, the semi-final lineup consists of teams placed in sixth, eighth, ninth and 10th – a testament to the unpredictable nature of these divisional team KOs.
League leaders Showman’s Bandits, who last week dispatched runners-up Mill Road Dynamite, were eliminated as they crashed back down to earth at Mulligans Misfits with a 5-2 defeat.
Redbourne Club will have two teams in the semi-finals, as both NnC and Madness picked up 5-3 away victories against Chancel Flyers and Liberal Club.
Broughton WMC are the final team in the hat after they needed a deciding frame victory to overcome RHH Hospital Club.
Division Five league runaway leaders Harry’s Bar Harriers were surprisingly eliminated from the divisional KO last week by Black Beauty B. Unfortunately, the Beauties couldn’t capitalise on the victory during this week’s quarter-final, falling short to Mill Road B in a 5-3 defeat.
Second-placed Beckwood Sex Panthers were well beaten by Ashby Crown B, who pulled off a 5-0 whitewash victory.
Beckwood Bombers, however, had no such problem in reaching the next round, as they recorded an excellent 5-1 win against Mulligans Youth.
Roxy Rack Em will have been happy to put their league woes behind them with a 5-3 success at promotion-chasing Showman’s Hornets.
Next week all seven divisions revert back to the league season and the divisional team KOs will conclude at the end of the league campaign.
Division Six went ahead as usual this week. Mulligans Runaways recorded their 11th straight victory over second-placed Schnapps A, seeing them off 8-5 to remain top of the table with 99 points.
Talbot remained in the promotion chase with an encouraging 11-2 win at Beacon B, while Keadby WMC also stayed on course for a second straight promotion by securing a 10-3 victory at Foxhills Bulldogs.
The other Foxhills side got on much better this week, winning 9-4 at Refs Corner Pocket of Winterton.
Mulligans Uniques’ 8-4 success over Schnapps Elite enabled them to leapfrog the visitors and move into fifth, with Beacon Rats’ 8-5 win at Brumby Hall B ensuring they remain out of the drop zone.
At the halfway stage of Division Seven, as many as five teams are in with a shout of winning the title. Bottesford Town A went back to the top, but their 6-6 draw at ninth-placed Priory was a missed opportunity to extend their lead.
Lord Roberts looks to be one of the favourites heading into the second half of the season, as their latest victory came away at newcomers Royal Hotel, where they were on the right end of an 8-5 result. Bobs top shooter Mick Mann currently stands on 18 frame wins, which is the highest across all the divisions.
Schnapps Retro B dropped down from top to third spot with an unexpected 10-3 defeat against youth side Mulligans Spurs.
Elsewhere, Schnapps Retro A also suffered the same fate, losing 10-3 to club rivals Schnapps Reloaded, who are eyeing a promotion push heading into the second half of the season. Redbourne Z also remained in the title picture this week after their 6-6 draw with Grosvenor.
Mulligans Warriors are still bottom of the division, but they will take heart on the back of winning their third game of the season 7-5 against Ashby Bowl.
There were six players from the Lincolnshire County Blackball Team that represented England last week at the Nations Cup International Event.
Martin Hazell, Paul Clark, Graham Ladds, Myles Deleuse, Matt Steeper and Bobby Fenton were all involved. Martin’s team retained the Masters team section and Matt’s team came out on top in the Seniors section.
Bobby Fenton and Graham Ladd’s teams came close, but they lost their respective finals, as England and Lincolnshire proved yet again to be very successful in the world of Blackball pool.
Lincolnshire A, B, C and the Youths are currently top of their regional tables, with the Seniors, Masters and ladies all looking in a strong position to qualify for the National finals at the midway point of the season.
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