The Pool Calendar has been updated with all of the remaining Interleague match dates for the two Stafford teams. The dates for the Singles and Doubles Knockouts have also been added which takes us into July.

The Roll of Honour has had some changes made with extra information being added as well as a few minor corrections.

STAFFORDSHIRE SINGLES, DOUBLES & THREE'S COMPETITION 2014

Applications are now being taken for this annual competition which is played all over the County region. You need to have played in an EPA affiliated league to qualify for this tournamment. the Stafford Sunday Pool League IS an EPA affiliated league.

More information can be found on the SCPA link regarding application details, entry fees and the end of year Finals Dates.

Stafford Sunday have been well represented over the last few years with Rob Wharne winning the Singles in 2009. Andy Rawlinson & Kev Opie - runners up in the doubles in 2008. The Three's side of Dave Whitfield, Martin Priestley, Dave & Mike Barker - runners up in 2011. Along with numerous Semi Final appearances. Chris Fox, Tim Mcgann, Nicky Hodgkinson, John Grobnik & Mark Bailey have all been Staffordshire Champions in the past.

STAFFORD POLE v LEEK @Hop Pole, Sandon Road, Stafford

SCPA Interleague Elite Division. Friday 15th March 2013

STAFFORD SUNDAY POOL LEAGUE SINGLES & DOUBLES KNOCKOUT COMPETITIONS

We are accepting applications for the forthcoming Sunday Pool League Singles & Doubles Individual competitions. All players interested must send their details and fees in a sealed envelope to the league Treasurer - Lynda Simpson. The closing date for applications is Sunday 26th May 2013. Final Sign in time is 7pm - 9pm @Rileighs, Stafford. Fees MUST be Paid by this date or applicants will not be allowed to enter.

To Qualify, All players must have played in a minimum of THREE MATCHES (not 3 frames) during the Winter Season 2012/13. Players in the Doubles are allowed to mix & match from different pairings but cannot change partners after the Deadline date.

The competition dates are below. Players are reminded that when entering the competition only the first 2 Rounds of the Singles and first Round of the Doubles have to to be played ON or BEFORE the set date. Committee will decide on any issues or problems which may arise. The League Committee decision is Final.

23rd June 2013 - SINGLES 1st Round                                                           

30th June 2013 - DOUBLES 1st Round

7th July 2013 - SINGLES 2nd Round

14th July 2013 - SINGLES FINALS NIGHT & LADIES FINALS NIGHT

21st July 2013 - DOUBLES FINALS NIGHT

ENTRY FEES - SINGLES £2.50 each, DOUBLES £5.00 per pair

ROB WHARNE (Perkins Cue, Trent Trophies A and now ENGLAND)

Stafford can now boast an England player. Stafford Sunday Pool League player Rob Wharne achieved the ultimate prize in being selected for the National side England.

After 2 close attempts in 2011 & 2012 it was at the 3rd attempt he achieved his prized goal. He qualified for the trials through representing his County A side for the last 4 years, accruing points on a consistent basis over that period of time. In that period of time he has also been ever present on the IPA tour gradually climbing the rankings and now is ranked in the top 16 on the UK tour. 

Wharne has been in two National Amateur Finals, losing to double ex-world champion, Carl Morris in 2009 but was then victorious in 2011 with victory over Karl Sutton. He also reached the Final of the WEBP World Masters Final, knocking out World no.1 Mick Hill in the semi final. Unfortunately he lost 9-5 in the final to Neil Raybone.

He also has been very successful in the local pool scene winning 3 Stafford Sunday singles titles in the last 3 years. He has won countless Team trophies with Rileys Cue and also for Trent Trophies A at National league & Knockout Finals.

Playing for TTA alongside Triple world champion Gaz Potts, 2011 world champ Adam Davis, England captain Lee Kendall and other top County players has enabled him to perform to a level most players would relish.

An established snooker player in the local scene and West Midlands Premier league winning Singles titles and from as early as a 12 year old, the hard work has been rewarded with this prestigous honour in representing his country and will be selected to play for England in June for the world championships.

Congratulations to Rob Wharne on this achievement and the Stafford Sunday Pool league can now be proud in having an England international in their ranks

Afford Loco v Stafford Pole @Locomotive, Longton. 22nd February 2013.

Stafford Pole started their Interleague Premier Division campaign with an away fixture against newly formed side Afford Loco. Ian Lewis (captain) gave debuts to new signings Alan Mason, Dan Goodwin and Mick Ferguson.

But Stafford got off to a poor start and were 3-0 down with Dave Baker, Chris Colley and Simon Key all losing, before Kev Brown won and steadied the ship. Duncan Sunderland suffered defeat but was unlucky with his position on his last ball. Stafford came back with debut wins for Alan Mason and Mick Ferguson which made the match 4-3 in Afford's favour. Paul Loughhead and Brendon Ruttledge then went on to try and turn the tie around but both fell short and lost to Affords more established players. That meant at the half way stage Stafford Pole were 6-3 down but still had a chance to get a result out of the match.

One change was made for the second half as Dan Goodwin came in for Colley, Ian Lewis (captain) and Phil McCintosh both sat this one out.

Under the watchful eye of the captain, the second half was similar to the first as Stafford lost two frames reasonably quickly through Key & Brown and found themselves 8-3 down. With a tough task now ahead, Baker got Stafford hopes up with a win that halved the deficit to 8-4. From then on it all went downhill as Dan Goodwin, Ruttledge, Loughhead, Sunderland, Ferguson and Mason lost the remaining six frames to make the final score 14-4 to Afford Loco.

Stafford Pole's next fixture is a tough match at home to Leek on March 15th and captain Ian is looking for his team to bounce back with a good result.

TT Players v Stafford A @Players, Newcastle under Lyme. 22nd February 2013.

Stafford A travelled to Players, Newcastle to play a strong TT Players side which consisted solely of County Players, both 'A' & 'B' standard. Dave Whitfield (capt) had virtually the same side that played in the 2012 season but welcomed a new addition in Simon W Davies. Martin Priestley was missing this time due to other commitments.

Dave Barker got Stafford off to a great start with a 'dish' in frame one. But, unfortunately missed chances by Giles Eastwood, Alan Sim, Mark Billingsley and Lee Whitehouse gave TT players a 4-1 lead. Mike Barker clawed a frame back with an excellent '8 ball clearance' and Gav Davies also helped himself to a 'dish' to make the scores 4-3 down. Mick Addison never got going in his frame and brave attempt by Whitfield saw him lose a close frame to see Stafford trail 6-3 at the halfway point.

In the 2nd half Dave Whitfield gave a debut to Simon Davies and also brought in Jim Simpson for both Eastwood & Addison.

Stafford needed to start strongly to have any chance of getting back into the match and Sim did just that and won to make it 6-4 down. Unfortunately, Billinsgley missed a great chance and suffered defeat to make it 7-4 to Players. Dave Barker continued his fine form with an excellent clearance to narrow the gap to 2 frames. However the next 3 frames proved costly to the Stafford team as S Davies, Simpson & Whitehouse all had great chances but unfortunately fell short at the critical part of the frames and so handed the match win to the hosts. Whitfield then miscued at an important part of his frame, going on to lose his frame, leaving the team trailing 11-5. Mike Barker restored some pride with a fine clearance but G Davies had less luck as he fell short and handed the last frame to Players and so make the score 12-6 to TT Players.

Stafford need to take their opportunites and showed glimpses on the night that they can match their opponents, especially 3 'dishes' to TT Players' none.

MOM goes to both Barkers as they led the way with their attacking pool play and 2 wins on the night.

Next up is a another away match at the Green Baize, Hanley against Afford B.

There are only TWO outstanding leagues fixtures.

These matches have to be played BEFORE the last Match of the season.

The teams in BOLD cancelled the original fixture

DIVISION ONE

WAGON REBELS v PERKINS VVV (20/1/2013) being played 12/5/2013 (double header)

BEAR & PHEASANT v RANGERS DOGS (3/2/2013) being played 19/5/2013 (double header)

Failure to come to any agreement will result in the Committee setting dates for the respective teams.

The Northside Rebels side have moved to the Waggon & Horses and will play under the name Waggon Rebels.

Stafford A have been awarded a place in this years National Intereague Finals. After narrowly losing a play off against Trent Trophies B (in a 3 man sudden play off). The Staffs County Pool Association have given Stafford A a chance to represent Staffordshire alongside Trent Trophies A (reigning National Champions), Afford, Afford Plaza, Cannock Chase & Trent Trophies B.

Stafford A will now travel to Great Yarmouth at the Vauxhall Holiday Park where there will be 96 teams from around the country playing for a total Prize Fund of £14,800. The draw has been made and Stafford have been placed in Group 14. They will play Nuneaton A (Warwickshire) and Rat Pack A (Hertfordshire). The latter has England player Neil Toms in their side and will be one of the pre tournament favourites.

This Event will be played on the weekend of the 13th & 14th April 2013 and will be led by Captain, Dave Whitfield. The squad is Mick Addison, Dave Barker, Mike Barker, Mark Billingsley, Shaun Cooper, Gavin Davies, Giles Eastwood, Martin Priestley, Alan Sim, Jim Simpson & Lee Whitehouse.

Northside Royal from the 2nd division are now playing from the Joiners Arms and will be known as Joiners Rebels.

The Penny Pots from the 2nd division have renamed themselves to The Penny Potters.

Perkins in the top division have changed their name to Perkins VVV.

Completed Result Cards can now be handed in at the Star & Garter along with the Joiners Arms.

Don't forget to make use of the online Result Card Entry Form in order to have your results posted on the website as early as possible. It's simple to use as the names of the players can be picked from a short list once the division and home/away teams are selected. It should be possible to use this form on most smart phones as well as tablets and PCs/laptops.

A Former Teams page has been added to the Teams menu option on the left-hand-side vertical menu. The link to League Teams on this menu has been renamed to Current Teams.

The Former Teams page lists all of the teams who have played in a previous season of the League (since Summer 2010). This allows you to then view all of the league statistics for any former teams who have since broken up, changed their name or moved location. The Current Teams page lists all of the teams who are playing in the current League season.

The Staffs Open 2013 will take place at Players Pool Club in Newcastle on Saturday 5th January. It costs £25 to enter but any local player that pays before the 1st January will receive a £5 discount.

The confirmed County Trial dates are as follows:

Men Sunday January 13th, 11am, registration at Players

Ladies Sunday 16th December, 11am, registration at Players

Juniors Sunday January 13th, 11am, registration at Players

Seniors Sunday 20th January, Venue TBA