Sunday 26th October 2013

Played at Kennys Sports Bar, Stafford.

SEMI-FINALS

Bear & Pheasant  3 - 4  Perkins Cue

Metro Bar A  4 - 2  Kennys Redbull

Perkins Cue came through a tough Semi Final match against the Bear & Pheasant to reach their 5th consecutive Summer Final. Mike Barker and Rob Wharne won in the 1st half for the Cuemen, as did Andy Rawlinson and Richard East (with a fine win over Martin Priestley) for the Bear & Pheasant. The start of the 2nd half saw Mike Barker pull off a fine clearance against Rawlinson after the latter went in-off on the break shot, then Jim Simpson claimed a famous scalp over Wharne to level it at 3-3. Dave Barker was drawn against Giles Eastwood in the decider and, after a dry break from the Bear man, Barker pulled off a great 8-ball clearance to win the tie 4-3 for the Cuemen.

Metro Bar A reached the Final for the first time with a hard fought win over Kennys Redbull. Wins for Roy Brown, Paul Shepherd and Andy Palin gave the Metro a 3-1 lead, with Paul Loughead replying for the Redbull. The start of the 2nd half saw Robbie Jenkinson claim a win over Alan Farrow to pull another one back for the Redbull, but the experience of Shepherd saw him overcome the challenge of Al Sim and put the Metro Bar through to the final, winning 4-2.

 SUMMER LEAGUE MAIN KNOCKOUT FINAL

Perkins Cue v Metro Bar A

FRAME ONE - Mike Barker (Cue) was drawn against Paul Shepherd (Metro) and Barker was in great from his Semi Final as was Shepherd. Barker started strongly with some fine potting but a missed chance put Shep back in and after an exchange of tactical snookers, it was Shep who took his chance to put the Metro Bar 1-0 up.

FRAME TWO - England International Rob Wharne (Cue) was drawn against Roy Brown (Metro). This was an important frame as Wharne set his mark with an intention to clear. However he fell short with 2 balls to go and Brown tactically pulled himself back into the frame. Wharne then turned the frame back in his favour with an excellent pot on his last red and then potted the black to level the scores 1-1. 

FRAME THREE - Dave Barker (Cue) was drawn against Andy Palin (Metro). Palin broke and soon got a stranglehold in the frame. Barker had to change his approach and gradually worked himself back into the frame with some astute and tactical shots. A mistake by Palin let Barker in and he then cleared the table to put the Cuemen 2-1 up.

FRAME FOUR - Dave Whitfeld (Cue) was drawn against Dave Ashton (Metro). Whitfield broke and went in off the break. This put Ashton in control and he gradually stopped Whitfield in his tracks. However, a snooker gave the latter an opportunity, but a missed positional shot by Whitfield let Ashton in and he looked as though he was going to level the scores. A fine cut in the middle by Ashton went astray and Whitfield siezed the moment to pot the black and put the Cuemen 3-1 up.

FRAME FIVE - Dave Barker was paired against Paul Shepherd at the start of the 2nd half of the Final and it was a crucial frame for the Metro Bar. Shepherd broke and went for the clearance - and it was looking good until he lost position. Barker was back in but struggled to gain the initiative and, with some good counter attacking pool, Shepherd siezed the opportunity and clinched the frame to pull it back to 3-2 down.

FRAME SIX - Rob Wharne was drawn against Alan Farrow and it was hit or bust for the latter. Wharne broke and put himself in a great position as it looked for certain he was going to secure the Cuemen the title with an 8-ball clearance. However, he uncharacteristically missed his penultimate pot and let Farrow back in. Unfortunately, he didn't manage to tie up the balls and Wharne jumped at the chance to pot his remaining balls and, to the delight of his teammates, secured the 6th Summer League title in 9 years for the Perkins Cue side.

FRAME SEVEN - This frame was to be played between Martin Priestley and Roy Brown but was not required.

Congratulations to Perkins Cue on their triumph as they achieved the 2012/13 Winter & 2013 Summer League Championship double - a fine achievement. Also, well done to the Metro Bar A who also achieved a 2012/13 3rd Division Title with some notable scalps (1st Div sides Kennys Tap & Kennys Redbull) along the way to the Summer League Final.

The dates for the Staffordshire 2014 County Pool Trials are as follows:

• Staffordshire Men, Sunday 12th January, 10am Start at Players Pool Club
• Staffordshire Ladies, Sunday 8th December, 11am Start at Players Pool Club
• Staffordshire Juniors, Sunday 8th December, 11am Start at Players Pool Club

SUNDAY 3rd November 2013

Division ONE - Teams in brackets were original teams from Season 2012/13

KENNYS WHACKPACK (Perkins VVV) v ST GEORGES B (Tap n Spile)

AFFORD v STAFFORD A

Played on Friday 27th September 2013 @Locomotive, Fenton.

Stafford A travelled to Fenton in their latest Interleague match hoping to pick up some points to help their chances of survival in the Elite Division. Skipper Dave Whitfield was missing Martin Priestley, Lee Whitehouse, Jim Simpson & Dave Richardson.

Stafford needed a good start against a strong Afford side filled with experienced county players. Stafford soon found themselves 3-0 down in no time with defeats for Simon W Davies, Alan Sim & Giles Eastwood, but Mark Billingsley came back well in his game to give the visitors their first frame. Mike Barker then clawed another frame back. However missed chances by Gavin Davies, Dave Barker and Mick Addison saw Stafford fall further back at 6-2. Dave Whitfield managed to clear well in his frame to give Stafford hope in to make it 6-3 down at the the halfway point.

The second half saw Stafford start stronger and Billingsley pulled of a great 8 ball clearance to make it 6-4 down. Sim then played well to bring Stafford to within a frame but losses to both Simon Davies and Eastwood put Stafford on the backfoot. An amzing comeback from the skipper Whitfield from certain defeat, finishing off with a fine long black gave Stafford hope once again at 8-6 down. However again rued missed chances from Stafford saw them falter and losing the last four frames (both Barkers, Addison & Gav Davies saw Stafford lose 12-6.

Another disappointing result but missed chances and opportunities at this level are costly and things were made worse after finding out Leek had won and so leave Stafford 4 points from safety. So a must win in BOTH games against Leek (Home - 25th Oct) and Cannock Chase (Away - 15th Nov) will stop Stafford being relegated.

The Pool League Constitution has been revised as of 9th September. This updated version is now available on the website.

Date: SUNDAY 22nd September 2013

AGM to be held @Kennys, Stafford.

Time: Winter League 2013/14 Registration Sign in: 7:00pm - 8:00pm

Fees: £45 PER TEAM payable on the night*

MEETING TO START @7:45pm PROMPT.

AGENDA for the Evening is as follows

1. Chairman to read the 2012/13 AGM minutes

2. Chairman's Report

3. League Secretary's Report

4. League Treasurer's Report

5. Election of Officers and Committee Members**

6. Proposed changes**

7. Constitution Amendments

8. Any Other Business (AOB)

**ALL TEAM CAPTAINS Please note that that Election of Officers and any Proposed Changes MUST be put in writing and sent to the League Secretary by Sunday 8th September 2013.

Changes CANNOT be made on the night of the meeting.

*If any teams are unavailable to attend then please contact any of the league Officers, However this does mean that payment must be made before the Set date.  

STAFFORD A v AFFORD B - ELITE DIVISION

Friday 23rd August 2013 played @Kennys, Stafford.

Team Captain Dave Whitfield returned to the side after missing the previous game in the 11-7 loss to TT Players. Also, Gav Davies returned to the side affter missing the previous game due to becoming a father for the second time. Missing from the side was Jim Simpson, Martin Priestley, Lee Whitehouse & Dave Richardson.

Stafford needed to start well and they did as Simon Davies, Alan Sim, Gavin Davies & Dave Whitfield all won to make the score 4-4. Unfortunately, Mick Addison missed out on the last frame to give Stafford a chance of a lead going into the second half.

The second half started in similar fashion with Mark Billingsley clearing in style to make it 5-5. A missed opportunity by Mike Barker on the black let his opponent in and Giles Eastwood also suffered a similar fate as Stafford were suddenly 7-5 down. Again it was down to both Sim and then Gav Davies to pull the scores level with 2 very good individual performances. However that was it for the night as skipper Whitfield missed a golden chance to make it 8-8 and losses for both Dave Barker & Addison saw the Stafford boys lose 11-7 in a really close match.

So on to the next fixture which is away to Afford on 27th September and Stafford need to start picking up points if they want to stay in the Elite division. Some positives are that if everyone in the team takes their chances then Stafford would have been challenging for a top 4 place. But it is what it is and the team must start being more clinical to get positive results.

MOM on the night goes to both Alan Sim & Gav Davies for their 2 wins. 

It was a case of deja vu all over again at the Singles Knockout Finals Night as Rob Wharne steamrollered his way to the title for a fourth successive year.

Rob breezed past teammate Mike Barker without reply in his quarter-final while Mark Billingsley held off a spirited challenge from Liam Collins. Dave Barker whitewashed Kev Brown 3-0 but the game of the last eight was between Dave Whitfield and Paddy Singh. Paddy went 2-0 ahead and seemed on his way to the last four before Dave found his form and managed to claw his way back into the match, eventually winning 3-2.

The first semi-final was a mouth-watering encounter between two of Stafford's finest potting machines as Rob Wharne and Mark Billingsley went mano a mano for a prized place in the final. It was Rob, coming off his recent successes at the Pool World Championships in Blackpool, who came out on top pulling off some of his trademark finishes from nowhere along the way.

The other semi had more of a pedestrian feel to it as two of the Sunday League's stalwarts came head to head. Dave Barker made an uncharacteristically nervous start against teammate Dave Whitfield as the opening frames were shared. But then, in what may well have been a turning point in the match, the League Secretary missed a straight black in the 3rd frame. Dave Barker went on to clinch that frame and never looked back to win the tie 4-1.

The final saw Perkins Cue teammates Rob Wharne and Dave Barker do battle. It was the third time in 3 years they had met in the final stages of this knockout as Rob had overcome Dave in two previous semi-finals. The pattern of the game seemed to be very much dictated by the break-off shots as neither player could consistently pot balls off the break or indeed leave any sort of finish on.

In the first frame Dave attempted a finish that was never really on and, despite pulling off some tremendous pots, he found his way into the blind alley that was always beckoning him. Rob laid a snooker and with the two visits that followed he duly won the frame. The 2nd frame proved that Dave was not going to be easily shaken off as Rob took out his set of colours before doubling the black-ball into the jaws of a corner pocket. This forced Dave's hand and he managed to develop his two bad balls en route to a good finish under pressure.

The next three frames went Rob's way as he showed what a classy player he is when there is the slightest chance of a finish on. Dave should have claimed the 6th frame with more ease than he eventually did after Rob sent the white off the table during his break-off shot. This left the scoreline as 4-2 to Rob.

Some tactical play in the 7th frame saw both players go for and fail to grasp half-chances that came their way. Decisively, it was Rob who finally set up a double on the black-ball and calmly slotted it home in the opposite corner pocket to win the final 5-2.

So, congratulations once more to Rob Wharne. It was by no means an easy run to the title for Rob who had to see off some of Stafford's finest on his way to the crown. The question now is who can prevent him claiming a fifth consecutive title?

It was double delight for twins Dave and Mike Barker as they swept through the field at the recent Doubles Knockout Finals Night.

The brothers saw off the challenge of Danny Haynes and Kev Moore in their quarter-final. Meanwhile, Simon Davies and Al Sim also won their last-eight match over Paddy Singh and Jamie Woolley without dropping a frame, but were made to sweat in both games. The two other quarters went to deciders. Chris Broomhall and Shaun Cooper held their nerve to see off Russ Pibworth and Stuart Hardy, while Bin Singh and Mark Sheerin eventually overcame John Daniels and Ian Crowe.

Both of the semi-finals may have ended in 3-0 scorelines but they were two contrasting games to watch. The Barker pairing flew out of the blocks in their clash against Bin Singh and Mark Sheerin as Dave led the way with two quality clearances before Mike stepped forward to take advantage of a foul and clear up in the 3rd frame. In the other semi (Chris Broomhall/Shaun Cooper v Al Sim/Simon Davies), Chris pulled off a good finish to take the opening frame. The match then developed into a tactical battle as neither side appeared willing to take too many risks and go for game. This pattern appeared to favour the Broomhall/Cooper pairing as they battled hard to stay in both frames and indeed went on to win them as Shaun sank the two crucial black ball pots.

In the final (Dave/Mike Barker v Chris Broomhall/Shaun Cooper) it initially appeared to be a case of anything you can do... as Mike first pulled off a brilliant clearance from nowhere (that even the best sat nav system would have given up on) in the opening frame before Dave took his turn and dished up after a dry break in the 2nd frame.

The 3rd frame saw the first exchange of visits to the table before Chris worked himself into a great position after pulling off a superb escape shot from a self-inflicted snooker. Unfortunately, he eventually ran slightly out of position and this contributed to him missing his penultimate colour. Fortunately, he missed it to the pocket by the black-ball thus leaving the 8-ball in a pretty secure position. Mike had a plan though and, slowly but surely, he worked through his set of balls before chipping in his final colour off the ball that Chris had left blocking the black-ball. The pot on the black was not the easiest but it was dispatched with aplomb and the Barker pairing went 3-0 ahead.

In the 4th frame Dave went for game early, but a loose positional shot saw the cue-ball drop into a middle pocket. However, Chris and Shaun could not take advantage of the two visits and, on his next visit to the table, Mike laid a good snooker from which Shaun failed to escape. That brought Dave to the table with a relatively easy finish at his mercy (thanks to the visit in hand) and he duly slotted home the remaining colours followed by the 8-ball.

So, it turned out to be a comprehensive run to the finish line by the Barker brothers as the only frame they dropped in the whole tournament was in the first round. Double congratulations to them and also congratulations to Chris and Shaun who beat some fancied pairings on their way to the final.

MARKET PROMOTIONS STAFFORD SUNDAY POOL LEAGUE DOUBLES KNOCKOUT

FINALS NIGHT To be played on SUNDAY 21st July @Kennys Sports Bar.

DRAW - 7 15pm, START - 7 30pm, SCRATCH - 7 45PM

Quarter Finalists

1. Bin Singh & Mark Sheerin (Joiners Arms/GPO Club A)

2. Paddy Singh & Jamie Woolley (Tap n Spile)

3. Dave Barker & Mike Barker (Perkins Cue)

4. Simon W Davies & Alan Sim (Perkins VVV)

5. Chris Broomhall & Shaun Cooper (Morrisman)

6. Russ Pibworth & Stuart Hardy (Penny Potters)

7. Danny Haynes & Kev Moore (Oxleathers B)

8. John Daniels & Ian Crowe (Tap n Spile)

Quarter Final - BEST of THREE Frames

Semi Final - BEST of FIVE Frames

FINAL - Best of SEVEN Frames*

*(Time allowing, then best of Five frames).

Good luck to all players!

MARKET PROMOTIONS STAFFORD SUNDAY POOL LEAGUE SINGLES 2013

FINALS NIGHT. SUNDAY 14th July, To be played @Kennys Sports Bar

7:45pm DRAW, 8:00pm START, 8:15pm SCRATCH.

QUARTER FINAL LINE UP

1. Mike Barker (Perkins Cue) - Runner up 2007.

2. Dave Barker (Perkins Cue) - Champion 2009, Runner up 2006.

3. Paddy Singh (Tap n Spile) - Quarter Finalist 2005 & 2007.

4. Mark Billingsley (Perkins VVV) - Semi Finalist 2007 & 2009.

5. Kev Brown (Hop Pole C) - Champion 1998 & 2002. Runner up 1994.

6. Liam Collins (Luckpenny Garters) - Debut.

7. Rob Wharne (Perkins Cue) - Champion 2010, 2011 & 2012.

8. Dave Whitfield (Perkins Cue) - Runner up 2011.

QUARTER FINAL - Best of FIVE Frames

SEMI FINAL - Best of SEVEN Frames

FINAL - Best of NINE Frames

STAFFORD A v CANNOCK CHASE

Played on Friday 28th June 2013 @Kennys Sports Bar, Stafford.

Stafford A entertained League leaders Cannock Chase in their latest league fixture. Dave Whitfield (capt) had Lee Whitehouse, Alan Sim, Simon Davies & Jim Simpson all missing. He had both Mark Billingsley and Martin Priestley come back into side and he gave new signing Dave Richardson a first league start of the season.

Mike Barker and Giles Eastwood were on first and got Stafford off to a great start, both winning their frames in style. Mick Addison was on next and never got a chance and so gave Cannock their first frame of the night. Mark Billingsley got off to good start but unfortunately snookered himself and his opponent snapped up his opportunity to level the scores. Dave Barker also had chances in his frame but failed to make the most of it and so lost his frame. Martin Priestley never got going in his frame and a poor shot let in his opponent in and Stafford were 4-2 down.

Frames continued to be shared for the remainder of the match with the visitors finally claiming a 10-8 victory.

Rob Wharne returned from the recent Pool World Championships in Blackpool without a sun tan but with plenty of silverware.

A magnificent run saw Rob progress all of the way to the semi finals in the Men's Individual event. It included victories along the way over practice partner and current England captain, Lee Kendall, as well as Keith Brewer who has won everything in men's pool during his career.

The Stafford cueman eventually lost to Tom Cousins from Wales by  the scoreline 10-4. Tom put in a very solid performance containing few unforced errors and he continued his good form as he went on to claim the title.

Further glory followed as Rob took his bow on the international scene, playing a major role in England claiming the Men's title.

19 wins out of 24 frames during the round robin league stages gave Rob the highest win percentage of anyone competing in the tournament, making a mockery of his rookie status.

The Perkins Cue player continued his form into the final as he dished up in the opening frame, helping to settle the collective nerves of his teammates. But a stubborn Ireland team could not be shaken off and England were forced to dig deep as the clash turned into a classic. England went on to eventually claim the title in the deciding frame of the match.

Rob's semi final and the team final were both filmed and should be screened on Sky TV in the coming weeks

STAFFORD pool star Rob Wharne is set to make his Sky Sports debut at the eight ball pool World Championships in Blackpool.

In the individual competition Wharne has been unbeaten in four knockout rounds on his way to the semi-final tomorrow which will be televised on Sky Sports.

He started off his individual run by beating Anthony Chia of Australia 8-3, he then beat Tom Church from England 8-6, in the last 16 he beat Michael Hope 8-4 and in his quarter-final he beat Karl O’Donoghue 9-5.

Wharne is also part of a ten-man England team who are top of their 12 country group in the team competition with the top two teams going straight into a televised semi-final.

Wharne has previously won the National Amateur Final in 2011 and has reached the WEBP World Masters Final which he lost 9-5 to Neil Raybone.

On the local pool scene he has been successful winning three Stafford Sunday singles titles in the last three years and now the Sunday Pool League have an England international in their ranks.

After two close attempts in 2011 and 2012 it was at the third time of asking he achieved his prized goal of selection for the England team for the championship.

Source: http://www.staffordshirenewsletter.co.uk/ Sport/Stafford-pool-star-breaks-in-to-eight-ball-01072013.htm