POOL: THE DOVE ARE CHAMPIONS!

The Dove sit proudly on top of the Thurmaston Pool League Division 2, unbeaten after 12 games. Scalps include drubbing the Mayflower 9-0 (Bodecote 7 ball) and overcoming the 3 Kilns 5-1 in the knockout cup.A very good Steve Dodd ‘up and down' for the black was a highlight in this match. The biggest test for the Dove up to that point had been the home game with Earl of Stamford (who were bottom at the time) which the Dove pulled away to win 6-3 after the tie was poised at 3-3 thanks to some good Craig Spooner and Peter Thompson potting. A superb Thompson stun around the table to land for the black in the middle pocket springs to mind. An excellent Andy Marriot long black secured a 7-2 win against the Owl and the Pussycat.

The cup-run was ended in the last 16 (maybe a bit surprisingly- the Dove had won the earlier league encounter 7-2) by an in-form Railway B. The Dove could now concentrate on the league. The league was won thanks to a battling 5-4 win over Willow C, the highlight of which was a Craig Spooner 7 ball clearance in one of two very well won doubles matches. The season was rounded off with a 6-3 win over Willow A and an 8-1 trouncing of Railway B where a superb all round team performance made it a second title in successive seasons.

The team are: Steven Billingham, Pete Thompson, Andy Broadley, Steve Cloak, Neil Bodecote, Steve Dodd, Craig Spooner and Andy Marriot.

Steve Billingham