After a disastrous 2015-16 Pudsey Billiards League campaign and being awarded the wooden spoon, Princeville Patriots begin their Pudsey League Cup defence with a repeat 2014-15 Final against St Andrews "A".
The Patriots have rang in some changes in personnel, W.Oates taking the place of captain K.Tomlinson who is Australia bound and scheduled to return to Blighty one day before the final. Ethiad Airways can confirm that none of their passengers have been strapped to the aircraft wings, despite a request from a well renowned television pundit. The Patriots can reveal other players were considered for selection during last weeks interval meeting, including G.Pearson so he could face against his St Andrews namesake.
Taking interim charge of Patriots was J.Butcher, who at last weeks pre-match meeting was unanimously voted in favour despite not being at said meeting. This was proposed by K.Tomlinson, seconded by I.Tomlinson, D.Hardcastle voted in favour with none against. Captaincy is something familiar to James having led Wibsey Liberals Billiards team for two years before folding and more recently the 2nd XI of Great Horton Methodists Cricket Club.
First up was W.Oates and G.Pearson along with D.Hardcastle and G.Rogers. Graham got off to a flying start by registering breaks of 23 and 26 in consecutive visits to put himself in front in the 70 point region, leaving Bill firmly on the back foot and a task to reduce as much of the deficit as possible. Unforced errors became a feature from both players in the middle overs, but heading towards the end Bill found some much needed momentum to reduce the deificit. With less than 3 minutes to go, Bill had all three balls nicely positioned towards the top end of the table for a chance to register a significant break, but only got as far as the mid-teens after missing a crucial red pot. Graham added a few more points before the bell to record a 41pt win.
Meanwhile on the other table, Don was unfazed by developments and stuck to his task gamely by being on the front foot for the most part to record a valuable 21pt victory for the Patriots, giving a much needed morale booster for his Patriot team-mates.
For the 2nd half, it was J.Butcher v A.Instrell and I.Tomlinson v N.Lee. Funky captaincy was displayed by the Patriots skipper and top board man by "demoting" himself to the "junior table", a move which surprised those due to play.
Neil showed his typical attacking prowess by powering into a lead of 40pts early doors. A more cautious approach was taken on the other table, both James and Andy were content in biding their time on the baize, but could not quite get the desired momentum. James made most of the scrappy match by accumulating points in instalments and played percentage shots whenever the situation arose. Andy struggled for momentum even with solid scoring opportunities being presented. Back on the other table, Ian reduced the deficit to the 20pt region and found some momentum late on to get within single figure points. Neil won by 8pts for St Andrews, but James managed to record a 61pt win in a match which was not as one sided as the result read. Nethertheless the captains knock propelled the Patriots into the final and will face their stablemates, Princeville "B" in early May who recorded a narrow 13pt overall victory against Pudsey Congs. A very good evening for the Princeville Billiards Institute, where the Pudsey League Cup is guaranteed to remain at Princeville HQ for another year. One Patriots player has said on record that "he doesn't care who wins" the final.
Transport will be provided for the Grand Final, courtesy of bus operator First Group. For one day only the 576 service will extend from Bradford Hall Ings to Valley Road, Pudsey (terminating outside Littlemoor Bowling Club) to ensure a large crowd from the Princeville faithful.
