Do you fancy a go at representing your County? There is an opportunity to do so. Below are details of qualifying to become a COUNTY PLAYER. Note that players who hold EPA affiliated ID cards for other counties cannot enter this competition unless you request a Transfer from your selected County.

The details of the county trials are below, all to be played at our county venue Players Pool Club.

• Staffs Mens County team trials have been confirmed for Sunday January 15th 10.30am registration (£5 entry fee). Mens re-trialists and trial winners Sunday January 29th 10.30am registration

• Staffs Juniors Trials have been confirmed for Sunday January 8th 10.30am registration (£3 entry fee)

• Staffs Seniors Trials...the county will be entering two sides into the Region 3 seniors competitions this forthcoming season. A 'trial' system will be played on Sunday 8th January at Players 11.45 registration 12 noon start.All players must be 50 years old on or before January 1st. Its £5 entry fee.

Rob Wharne (of Rileys Cue) held his nerve during a tense fourth frame to turn the final on its head and become the first Sentinel Cup eight-ball champion.

The 25-year-old was trailing Daz Henshall 2-1 in the showpiece finale at Players Lounge in Newcastle. And when Henshall put the black over the pocket, the odds were stacked in his favour to move 3-1 ahead and inch towards claiming the inaugural title. But Wharne, who had qualified as a lucky loser, kept his cool during a 25-minute battle of tactics to clinch the frame.

The Stafford hot-shot then cleared from the break to take the fifth frame and never looked back ... eventually claiming the trophy 6-2.

"At 2-1 it was pretty much the first time I had been behind all day," said Wharne, a star of the all-conquering Trent Trophies team. "I was dead and buried in the fourth when he hit the black over the bag. Even when I hit a ball on top of it I didn't think I could come back. But somehow I managed to pull it off and to win the next frame in one visit put me in control. It was a great win for me. I've been frustrating myself with how I've been playing over the past couple of months, so to go on to win the Sentinel Cup when the standard was so high is fantastic."

The tournament, organised by England captain Lee Kendall in conjunction with The Sentinel and sponsored by Cookies Caterers, attracted the best amateur cuemen from North Staffordshire and South Cheshire. Four qualifying days, including the lucky loser play-off on Saturday, had thrown up the final 16 to shoot out for the £200 top prize.

RESULTS

Last 16: Mark Morris 6, Chris Higgins 1; Rob Holland 1, Rob Edgerton 6; Ryan Cope 2, Rob Wharne 6; Martin Peach 1, Wayne Connor 6; Steve Prince 4, Alex Bailey 6; Dave Jackson 6, Gareth Davies 3; Andy Blurton 5, Darren Henshall 6; Steve Bridgwood 4, Lee Whitfield 6.

Quarter-finals: Morris 6, Edgerton 4; Wharne 6, Connor 2; Bailey 6, Jackson 4; Henshall 6, Whitfield 5.

Semi-finals: Morris 4, Wharne 6; Bailey 5, Henshall 6.

Final: Wharne 6, Henshall 2.

STAFFORD LADIES SINGLES CHAMPIONSHIP 2011.

SUNDAY 4TH DECEMBER 2011 @RILEYS STAFFORD.

The first ever Ladies Knockout took place at Rileys with a positive turnout of 8 Ladies entering the competition.

Quarter Final results -

Jill Woolford (Princess Royal) 0 v 2 Pippa Steele (Star & Garter);

Lynda Simpson (Star & Garter) 2 v 0 Michelle Sambrook (Rickerscote C);

Clair Maslin (Rileys Cue T's) 2 v 0 Tracie Stanyer (Rickerscote C);

Charlotte Shelley (Rileys) 2 v 0 Kirsty Lawrence (Rickerscote B).

Semi final results -

Lynda Simpson 3 v 0 Pippa Steele; Charlotte Shelley 3 v 1 Clair Maslin.

FINAL result -

CHARLOTTE SHELLEY 4 V 1 Lynda Simpson.

A BIG thank you to ALL the ladies who entered this competition and congratulations to our FIRST Parkside Electrical stafford Sunday Pool Ladies Champion, CHARLOTTE SHELLEY. A well deserved success after seeing off the Challenge of Shropshire Ladies County player Clair Maslin and then West Mids Ladies County Player Lynda Simpson. Fine potting and played to a high standard and also in great spirit.

Also thank you to Shaun Cooper who refereed the FINAL.

A new Mobile version of this website is launched today. Hopefully, this should prove to be popular amongst the growing number of people who are accessing the website on their mobile devices.

It is a cut-down version of the main website and, as such, only the most important areas are covered, including Notices, Latest News, News, Results, Tables and Fixtures. The intention is to add the frame scores from individual matches in the near future.

Any feedback regarding the Mobile site can be sent to the Webmaster.

SUMMER LEAGUE TEAM KNOCKOUT FINAL 2011

Sunday 11th November 2011 @ Rileys.

Hop Pole C became the Parkside Electrical Sunday Summer Pool League Champions for the first time. They overcame 2010 Runners up Rileys C who must have fancied their chances after seeing off their rivals and holders Rileys Cue (group stages) and Rileys A (semi final) to whom they lost twice in their group matches.

The final started with Simon Key scrapping it out with Scott Price and with Key losing position with 2 balls to go it looked like Price would clear. However he missed and Key seized the moment to make it 1-0 to the Pole C. Experienced Kev Daly came up against former County Junior Mark Billingsley and, after a tactical exchange, Daly decided to go for it but 'out of the Blue' he knocked in the black at the same time as he potted his own ball and gifted Billingsley the frame to level the scores. Up next was Alan Simm v Duncan Sunderlad and these two wasted little time as Simm went all guns blazing but then missed the black ball to give Sunderland a chance. He then set out clearing the remaining 6 balls to put the Pole C 2-1 up. It was then the turn of Simon W Davies who took on veteran Baz Davies. Baz Davies can count himself unlucky, but a show of nerve and composure from his opponent pulled the scores level as Simon Davies sank the black. 

The second half of the match saw Baz Davies return to the table, this time taking on Billingsley. The frame started slowly with both players not giving away too much. Davies started to squeeze the frame and was given a chance and he rolled back the years with fine cue play, clearing in style to put the Pole C 3-2 up. Then it was the turn of another stalwart in Kev Daly. He took on Scott Price and this followed a similar pattern to the previous frame, ending with the same result, as Daly also showed his form of yesteryear to claim the main prize and take the title back to the Hop Pole C.

STAFFS INTER-LEAGUE PREMIER DIVISION MATCH 10

Stafford Blaze vs Trent Trophies Players (18/11/2011) @ The Hop Pole

The final game of the Staffs Inter-League Premier Division pitted the Blaze against the newly crowned champions Trent Trophies Players, writes Lee Haidarovic.

Skipper Lee Haidarovic, in his final game before retiring from Inter-League pool, had once again the bare nine to choose from. However, these nine were the foundation and most reliable of the squad.  First up came Chris Broomhall knowing at least one win would confirm him as the league’s average winner and two wins would make him outright winner.  After a back and forth match against County player Sam Capper, Chris looked to have blown his chance but an uncharacteristic mistake by the over confident TTP player let Chris back in with 2 shots and that’s all it took for Chris to put the first win on the board. 

Unfortunately on the other table Dave Baker was not so fortunate as his opponent powered to a win to keep the early scores level.  The next four games took the same pattern as both Blaze players on table one (Paul Loughhead and Spence Trow) won, whilst on table two Craig Parsons & Ant Whitehead lost.  Unfortunately, the remaining three frames of the half went in favour of the away team with skipper Lee Haidarovic having a dry break that was punished and Ian & Brendon coming up against two very accomplished players whom did very little wrong.  Leaving the half time score 6-3 to the TTP.

The second half was a carbon copy of the first as Chris Broomhall won his second of the night to confirm himself as average winner outright.  Dave, Ant, Paul, Ian and Craig all lost in quick succession meaning the TTP team had an unassailable 11-4 lead.  Next, up stepped skipper Lee Haidarovic for his last game and he gave a vintage performance to grab a frame back. Spence Trow then claimed his second win of the night to bring the scores to 11-6. Unfortunately, Brendon Ruttledge lost the final frame to make the final score 12-6 to the champions.

Man of the Match was Spence Trow for his two wins with Chris Broomhall nominated as Player of the Year!!

As I am about to quit Staffs inter-League Pool for good I would like to take the opportunity to thank all the following players who have played under me over the past four years:- Alan Alldritt; Nick Backhouse; Dave Baker; Mark Billingsley; Scott Billingsley; Chris Broomhall; Chris Colley; Simon Davies; Will Edge; John Grobnik; Scott Haidarovic; Chris Hanlon; David Hulme; Robbie Jenkinson; Kieron Johnson; Ben LeMaistre; Aaron Lewis; Ian Lewis; Paul Loughhead; Justin Mackereth; Rob Mallins; Ricardo Martinez; Craig Parsons; Andy Rogers; Brendon Ruttledge; Mark Shaw; Alan Sim; Karen Tomkinson; Tom Tonna; Spencer Trow and Ant Whitehead.

May I also wish my successor the best of luck in the 2012 season – Ian Lewis.

WINTER LEAGUE DIVISION THREE KICKS OFF ON SUNDAY - 6TH NOVEMBER 2011

This is due to 14 teams being placed in this Section. Div 1 and Div 2 have 12 teams in their respective divisions.

DIVISION ONE AND DIVISION TWO COMMENCES ON SUNDAY 20/11/2011.

The rest of the Fixtures will follow shortly. Paper copies will be distributed this week.

STAFFS INTER-LEAGUE PREMIER DIVISION MATCH 9

Leek B vs Stafford Blaze (28/10/2011) @ Leek.

In the final away match of the 2011 campaign the Blaze did the long trek to Leek to try and beat a very capable and experienced outfit. However, matters were not helped by the late omissions of some key players in the run-in.   With a bare team the Blaze started strongly as the first frame was won by Chris Broomhall. However, the next five all went to the Home side leaving the Blaze already 5-1 down when skipper Lee Haidarovic stepped up. But a combination of good tactical play and accurate potting gave Lee & the Blaze hope.  Unfortunately, the remaining two frames went to the Leek side and presented the Blaze with an uphill struggle in the second half after trailing 7-2 at the break. 

Then something incredible happened. Probably the best comeback in Stafford Blaze history as frame by frame the lads lifted their game with only the unlucky Ant Whitehead on the receiving end of a defeat.  Chris Broomhall (with a lot of fortune) starting the ball rolling to win his second of the night before the highlight of the evening as Spencer Trow performed an 8-ball clearance off his opponent's dry break, whilst potting and moving 3 dead balls in the process, to a standing ovation when he sunk the black.

With the score standing at 9-7 to the Leek team on to the tables came current captain Lee Haidarovic & next year’s new captain Ian Lewis to try and snatch an unexpected draw.  Whilst Ian had started a good five minutes before Lee, it seemed that if Ian won the pressure would all be on the skippers shoulders.  However, during his second visit to the table (and literally 3 minutes into his game), Lee despatched a 6 ball clearance to claim his personal victory which was simultaneous to Ian winning on the opposite table to give the Blaze the 9-9 draw that the second half truly deserved.

Man of the Match had to go to the skipper this week as only he and Chris won both frames and with Chris’ fortune in the second game there could only be one nomination and this was unanimous.  Special praise though to Spencer Trow who rose off his sick bed an hour before the game to pull off the clearance of the season in his second frame.

Next up is the last game of the season at home to the newly crowned Premier League Champions TT Players.

STAFFS INTERLEAGUE ELITE DIVISION

CANNOCK CHASE v STAFFORD SUNDAY 23/09/2011 @ Rileys, Cannock.

Stafford's quest for survival was dealt a major blow after being soundly beaten by a strong Cannock side. Results from other matches have given Stafford a mountain to climb if they want to be playing in the top tier next season.

It could have been so different on the night had Stafford taken their chances - with the exception of one or two players. Sean Alldritt returned to the side and got Stafford off to a good start with a fine 'dish'. Mike Barker made it 2-2 after a solid display. However, missed opportunities by the rest of the team saw a run of 4 frames handed to the opposition until Dave Barker managed to sneak the last one thus making the score 6-3 to the hosts at the halfway stage.

The second half started slowly but a fine 'dish' by Mark Billingsley (he lost earlier without playing a shot) and a fine clearance by Alldritt saw Stafford trail 7-5 and so give hope of a recovery. Unfortunately, again, missed opportunities by the rest of the team saw Stafford fade badly and they ended up eventually losing 13-5.

Some people might say the scoreline was somewhat flattering, but the truth was missed opportunities were the real reason for Stafford's downfall.

MOTM was the returning Sean Alldritt who won 2 on the night but Billingsley must count himself unlucky as he only had one visit all night!

Next up is a must win game against Leek A at home on 29th October.

Staffordshire Knockouts Finals Day report and results.

In the SCPA Threes, Dave Whitfield (Capt), Mike Barker, Dave Barker & Martin Priestley, from Rileys Cue reached the Final for the first time at their 5th attempt. In the Semi Final they saw off the challenge of Prince of Wales B (Leek). The Stafford team got off to a poor start with some scrappy frames which went the way to the visitors. staring at 2-0 down it was left to Martin Preistley who got the Stafford team on the scorecard. They then ran into a 3-2 lead but back came the Leek team as they went 4-3 up. Up stepped Preistley as he made it 3 out of 3 to square the match and the experience of Dave Barker saw the Stafford lads home with a crucial win, running out 5-4 victors.

In the FINAL they were paired this time against Prince of Wales A (Leek). Stafford were soon trailing 2-1 but were performing to A better standard and it soon paid dividends as fine potting from Preistley (a dish), Mike Barker & Dave Whitfield put the Stafford lads in control at 4-2 up. in the 8th frame Mike Barker left himself a fine cut on the black which he amazingly cut into the middle but unfortunately the Cue ball caught the oppositions yellow which then dropped into the corner. 4-4, which left Whitfield a chance to claim the glory but a foul put the opposite player in and he cleared to claim the County prize.

A great performance by the Stafford lads to get there (beatimg some fine teams on the way) and should be proud with special mention to Martin Preistley who won 5 out of 6 on the day.

In the SCPA Doubles competition, ther was disappointment for Stafford's Andy Rawlinson & Rob Wharne who lost a tight Semi Final 4-3 to county pairing of Jimmy Gower & Gareth Davies who then went onto win the Final running out 4-1 winners.

In the Singles event, Lee Grout (Rileys A) saw his hopes dashed with a 4-1 loss to eventual Singles winner Daz Shone from Players, Newcastle in the Quarter Finals.