The Crown Street Garage Stone and District Pool League 2016 season has got under way and we’ll be following all the action this year. Sixteen teams from in and around Stone will battle it out for the trophy over the next few months.
Here’s a round-up of the first week of matches.
Joker 6 – 2 Longton Snooker
Last year’s ‘Grand Slam’ winners started strongly again against last years third-placed team, although Longton Snooker are under the captaincy of Nick Backhouse, former league chairman, for the 2016 season. 4-0 at half time, Joker pushed on to victory via two wins out of two for last year’s player of the season Melvin Archer and his doubles champions partner Tony Douthwaite.
Lamb 4 – 4 Lamb Hot Pots
Another tight game between last season’s runners up, Hot Pots and perennial top four team Lamb. Lamb were 3-1 up the the break, only Neil Dale winning for the Hot Pots. Hot Pots then won three on the spin to lead 4-3 before Lamb captain Darryl Norman defeated Ian Lewis to earn the home side a point.
Lamb A 7 – 1 Longton Cricket Club
Fifth place in 2015, Lamb A are looking to go much better in 2016 and started very strongly, thrashing Longton Cricket Club. Only former Junior Champion Colin Paterson won for the cricket club, two wins out of two for Andy Conner, League Chairman, Paul Knight and Dave Clift, Stone Masters Champion giving them three points and a healthy frame difference.
Moddershall 7 – 1 Stone Cricket Club
Moddershall have strengthened their squad for 2016 with the addition of Ben Warrilow and Neil Rowley and started strongly, going 5-0 up before the rot was temporarily stopped by Andrew (Pav) Moreton. Wins by the two new signings however completed the rout.
Cuckoo 2 – 6 Jokaz
New team Cuckoo from Blurton lost the local derby with their nearest rivals from the Joker. Two wins from two for junior champion Charlie Kirkham and former Singles Merits Champion Phil Ratherham did most of the damage.
Labour In Vain 5 – 3 Langtrys
Labour from Yarnfield start 2016 with a win and are looking to improve on their disappointing 2015 season. Captain Ant Gibson was their star performer beating Scott James twice for the win.
Eccleshall Eagles 7 – 1 Railway Inn
The new Railway team from Norton Bridge had a testing start to the season, being trounced by the experienced Eccleshall side in their ‘local derby’ match. Lee Marshall’s tough team was only thrawted by Alex Peatfield who prevented the whitewash.
Little Stoke 5 – 3 Lamb Phall
Last seasons ‘wooden spoonists’, Lamb Phall found it tough going at the improving Little Stoke, a team of three local butchers! Former county snooker player Lee Walker won two from two, as did Craig Foster to grab the two points. Lamb Phall rallied from 4-1 down to 4-3 but Craig’s win over Andy Smith gave Little Stoke all two points.
5 comments
Mark Welton
Note to players:
The committee submit reports to Little Bit Of Stone so if you spot an error please contact a committee member. Please treat Jamie courteously, he is doing a grand job for our league.
Steve james
Ant Gibson got the name wrong do apologise
Jamie Summerfield
Hi Steve. Sorry about that. We use information submitted to us for these reports, so I’ll try and get that corrected
Steve james
Just to let you know scott james won one off his games against Andy jobs on get your facts correct please
Mark Welton
That’s my fault, I apologise.
Corrected match report as follows:
Labour In Vain 5 – 3 Langtry’s
New team Langtry’s found it tough going in their maiden game against a Labour In Vain side determined to improve on their disappointing 2015 season. Langtry’s Captain Rob Hughes was away, but his boys kept it tight, sharing the first 4 frames before Labour pulled away for the win. Labours Captain Ant Gibson was the star performer with 2 wins from 2.