Pickwick put pressure on Rileys Woolwich (From News Shopper)

Pickwick put pressure on Rileys Woolwich

2:27pm Friday 8th March 2013 in Sport By Steve Reed

With two weeks to go of the South London & Kent Pool Alliance Winter League season second played first in the Premier Division as Pickwick played Rileys Woolwich and the second placed team narrowed the gap at the top to just three points with their 8-7 win.
Rileys looked to be extending their advantage at the top as they took a 7-4 lead but Pickwick rallied round and fought hard to win the last four frames and take the match with Ash Hall completing a great plant to win the final deciding frame.
George Hammond and Allan Formosa were the inspiration for Pickwick’s win, each winning two of their three frames.
This result also kept up Rileys Hotshots hopes of the title as they went eight points behind the leaders with a game in hand after beating Bellegrove Social Club A by 9 frames to 6.
Hotshots had a slow start going 3-0 down but they brought it back to finish the first set 3-2 before going onto win the second set 4-1 and the final set 3-2 to win the match.
Danny Kelleher was man of the match winning all three of his frames for Hotshots.
With just eight points separating the top three it is still all to play for although Hotshots have a game in hand over the other two but they do have to play the league leaders Rileys Woolwich next week.
The top two also met in SLKPA’s second division where second place Summerfield played hosts to division leaders Rileys Rebels who lost 10-5 the last time they were there but this time round the tables were turned with Rebels running out 11-4 winners to have the title virtually wrapped up.
The result never really looked in any doubt as Rebels were in great form, winning the first and last set 4-1 and the middle set 3-2.
Within the match a mini battle ensued as Summerfield’s Ben Beever was matched with Declan Kelly in each set a battle which Beever won 2-1.
Nick Morris was impressive in his three frame wins with Louis Wilbourne returning to form by completing the same feat and captain Trevor Biggs produced a quality dish in the final frame while under time pressure and his team mates making sure he knew it.
Rebels are fifteen points clear at the top with a game in hand so although it is mathematically possible to catch them it will be unlikely.
Summerfield are facing a fight for second place after North Heath Social Club beat Pickwick Academicals 9-6 to go two points behind with both teams having a game to play.
In SLKPA Division One Beech Tree Nuthouse keep the pressure on second place team Rileys Rovers with a massive 11-4 victory over bottom side Glenmore Arms II.
The match was never really in any doubt as Glenmore only had three players, handing the Nuthouse six frames meaning they only needed two for the win which they attained in the first set.
Saying that Glenmore did battle hard and actually managed to win the second set 3-2 with all of their players, Jason Brunton, Lewis Brind and Daniel Brown each scoring a win.
Craig Jones won all of his three frames as did Julie Lancaster, the only difference being Lancaster not having to lift her cue for her wins.
Beech Tree are now two points behind Rovers and they play each other next week but Rovers do have a game in hand.
Rovers had a tough night against four man New Eltham Social Club but eventually stumbled over the line with a 9-6 win.
There was also a personal battle in this match with Rovers top ranked player Darren Porter facing Chris Unwin in each set and it was Unwin who caused an upset with a 2-1 victory.
In a match where both teams struggled for form Rovers Lee Osborn managed to win all three of his frames as did Peter Kendrick although he only played one of his three and Geoff Evans won his solitary frame.
The match between Bellegrove Social Club B and Fox under the Hill B literally swung one way then the other as Fox took a 3-0 lead but Bellegrove won eight of the next nine frames to seal the win before Fox won the final three frames to make the score a more respectable 8-7 to Bellegrove.
Alan Dolan and Clive Forrest were the stars for Fox winning three out of three and two out of two respectively.
For more information on the SLKPA including league tables visit our website at www.slkpa.com or contact our Secretary Paul Gafa on 07753 926291 with any queries.
The league are looking at potential sponsors, any interested parties can also contact Paul Gafa.