WESSEX NEWS

TAUNTON B&SL

Charlie’s top cue

Wincanton (Somerset) Mill St. Club was again the venue
for the second Top Cue Tournament and Exhibition
when on Sunday, 26th April, Brian Harvey (Bridgwater) the
holder, Michael White (Midsomer Norton) and Charlie Gay (St
Austell) played for the Top Cue Rose Bowl.

Brian showed little of his normal form and having been beaten
by the two challengers it became a case of which one would
come out top. Scoring was fairly even and when Michael
obtained top of the table position it looked as though he might
surge ahead, but having reached 50 he missed a fairly simple
pot red and broke down. From that point the match swung
round in favour of Charlie who then ran out winner by a small
margin. Charlie also made the best amateur break of 71.

After presentation of the Rose Bowl by Norman Dagley, he
and Roxton Chapman provided the professional ‘slot’ of two
hours during which Roxton notched up breaks of 101, 106,
161, and a wonderful best of 233. The play concluded with
trick shots and party pieces by the two pros which were greatly
appreciated by the audience.

Despite my usual concern, the event proved to be a success
in both entertainment and financial terms and I am pleased to
say that a donation could be made to that most worthy charity,
Cancer Research.

Finally, I would like to thank everyone who helped including
the referees, Ray Moore and Dave Smith, who stepped in to
officiate at a moments notice.

Puddings take a beating
The Southern leg of the biannual friendly billiards contest
between teams from the Sandford Orcas area (Scrumpy’s)
and the Dove Valley League (Black Puddings) took place at
Wincanton on Saturday, 25th April.

Despite the visitors having travelled down that morning from
Ashbourne (Derbyshire) they played well and the result could
have gone either way. The outcome of this enjoyable
encounter was a 4-2 win for the Scrumpy’s, but I have no
doubt that the Puds will be planning their tactics for our next
match, hopefully in October/November. Results (1 hr. games)
Sandford Scrumpy’s Dove Valley Black Puds
Carroll Walters (35) 252 Dick Ratcliffe (34) 213
Steve Warren (36) 269 John Heathcote (S) 153
Jack Masters (41) 231 John Heathcote (40,35) 208
Martin Gillham 180 Gary Coe 141
Colin White 166 Brian Hayes 190
Mike Woolmington 139 Brian Hayes (S) 185
John & Brian played substitute (S) games.

Taunton B&SL

INTER LEAGUE MATCH

Taunton League v Sandford Orcas at Bradford Abbas/Sherborne

Sandford Orcas avenged the previous encounter defeat
of 7-3 with a 6-4 victory this time. Brian Harvey made the
only century break of the event. All matches were of 90 minute
duration. Only 7 points separated Ray Moore and George
Warren in their game.

LEAGUE CHAMPIONSHIP

Merryfield took the league title from Hinckley Point ‘B’
with 39 wins from their 63 games played while Hinckley
recorded 35 game wins. Brian Harvey was the only century
break maker, playing from a -350 handicap position he made 6
century breaks with a best of 154. K & G Gray, Harvey and R
Lee represented Merryfield.

JOHN HOCKING MEMORIAL TROPHY

This Round Robin saw Hinckley Point ‘B’ move into the
semi final knock out stage along with their ‘A’ side, Legion
‘ A’ & ‘B’. Despite winning the round robin stage comfortably
Hinckley ‘B’ were beaten by Legion ‘B’ 3-0. Legion ‘A’ although
beating Hinckley ‘A’ 2-1 lost out on percentage count-back so
the final saw Legion ‘B’ take on Hinckley ‘A’ with the Legion
coming out 3-0 winners. Again Brian Harvey proved to be the
only ton up boy with runs of 135 & 120. Legion ‘B’ were
represented by P & M Grant, M Andrews and P Warren