Full week one pool round-up

The Pheasant Nomads take up their once customary place at the top of Division One, following their 9-1 thrashing of Cobra.

Having raced to a 5-0 lead young Mat Davies was given his debut but lost to Cobra’s summer signing Kev Llewelyn. This didn’t stop (Skipper) Steve Sherlock, Dean Arthur, Alan Price (formerly of Courthouse) and Jason Stokes all going to 2/2, as the Nomads rolled back the years leaving the new-look Cobra with some work to do.

Without doubt the “big clash” came as reigning champs the Lion A Westbury entertained last season’s runners-up the Oak A Guilsfield. The away side hit the floor running as Captain Dai Walsh, Wayne Smith, Dave Gannon and Glyn Davies marched them in to a dream 4-0 start. Phil Richards & Macca McVean led the come back before Wayne Smith (2/2) put the Oak on the brink of victory at 5-2. Steve Richards’ inspired break and dish 7-baller gained his revenge over Glyn Davies before Rod Edwards won to set up a tense last frame finish. Jason Evans (1/1) produced an assured finish in the 10th frame to give the Oak “first blood” but there’s a long old way to go yet.

The Cock A handed out an 8-2 bashing for Argae A. New signing Alan Davies started the rout and Gary Gindrat 7-balled Jamie Jones to double the lead. Darren Bowen and young debutant Connor Davies (a very welcome and talented addition to the league) made it 4-0 before Rob Francis finally registered for Argae. There was no respite for the away side in the 2nd half as Alan Davies 2/2, Pete Sheppard (7 baller over Rob Francis) and Connor Davies wrapped up the game before Jamie Jones pulled one back. Gary Gindrat completed the score.

So what of our newly promoted teams, well with the Cock Brockton having the bye it was down to the Socialites as they locked horns with a formidable looking Angel A. Mike Bebb confirmed the switch from the Angel B to the Angel A (via Four Crosses and the Talbot D according to all the speculation!) as he, new captain Justin Williams and Barry Emberton forged a narrow lead as Ben Davies and Will Foord gave the home side credit (2-3). Unburdened by captaincy, Mike 2/2 and Bazza 2/2 put the visitors within touching distance of victory before Ben Davies 2/2 fought gamely for the Social Club. The game was sealed however, as Justin Williams 2/2 and birthday boy Ryan Jones 1/1 won the last 2 frames for a good 7-3 away win.

The Oak B hosted Four Crosses A in a close match, until the last 3 frames all went to the away side for a great away result. Dave Lewis and Garry Lewis took the opening exchanges for Crosses but David Baulch and Lee Andrews squared the match at 2-2; James Gittins produced a fine break and dish 7-baller over Kevin Davies on his debut for Crosses to give them the half time advantage. His went to 2/2 but Dave Baulch 2/2 for the Oak kept the match in the balance at 3-4. Dave Lewis 2/2, Rob Owen 1/1 and finally Garry Lewis 2/2 took the game away from the Oak side however, as the Crosses make the perfect start to their campaign.

Finally, Courthouse came away with two points from Angel B. Will Beddoes and Wayne Crump put Courthouse 2-0 up but new Captain G Trevor- Jones and new signing Tommy Kelleher levelled the game at 2-2; Kev Pugh gave the away side a 3-2 lead. Will Beddoes 2/2 made it 4-2 but G Trevor-Jones 2/2 kept the match in the balance at 3-4. However, just as in our last game the away team pulled away with 3 frames in a row as Kenny Edwards, Kev Pugh 2/2 and Mike Farley completed the 7-3 final score.

The Talbot D(ream) team made a nightmare start as Castle Boys stated their intent to regain top flight status! Johnny Jerman started with a win over Brian Davies, but notice was served as John Roberts and Rich Wyatt put the boys ahead by beating Lee Harris and Alan Jones (Beefy) respectively. Drew Hughes levelled the match by beating Lee Cruse but summer transfer Mark Woosnam (bt Andy “Mackie” McNinch) to give last year’s division one side a precious 3-2 lead. When Martin Thomas 1/1 (a very welcome return to action) beat Drew the home side replied through Johnny Jerman 2/2, but Lee Cruse put Castle 5-3 up with two to play. Rich Wyatt 2/2 secured a great win with a brace over Alan and Mark Woosnam 2/2 completed the match.

The Westwood Warriors found the Punchbowl A in fine form! Matt Bowen won the opener but the three amigos of Gavin Gittins, John Morris and Ricky Lowe made it 3-1 to the Punch. Jono Penrose ended the half on an upbeat note for the Warriors. John Henderson and Gavin Gittins 2/2 tried to deliver the knock out blows in the 2nd half but Matt Bowen 2/2 kept the Westwood in the fight at 3-5. It was away side triumph however, as first Ricky Lowe 2/2 and then Jim Knight finished a “good night, had by all” in which the home side acknowledged the high standard of their opponents.

The Talbot Topdogs made a fine 7-3 start over newly promoted Lion B. Captain Dan Stephens led the team out before Darren Lloyd equalised against Kev Drury. Jamie Jones and former Castle Boys star Steve Day made it 3-1 but the Lion’s new signing Alfie Smith pegged it back to 3-2. The Topdogs made quick work of the match at the re-start however as the next 3 frames went their way for victory; Steve and Jamie both 2/2 with Hywel Lloyd 1/1 settling it. Kev Hayes pulled one back before Dan Stephens 2/2 completed the match.

The Herbert Arms enjoyed their new life in Division Two with a 6-4 win at the Breidden! Alan davies, Julian Preston and Phil Passant made a brilliant 3-0 start before K Firth stopped the rot for the home team. The Breidden then closed the game up to 2-3 as Paul Richards settled immediately into his new surroundings. Phil Passant 2/2 gave the away side some daylight before M Leung reduced it to 3-4, but Phil Davies made it 5-3 to the Herbert who now had a great chance of the win. S Fitzgerald 1/1 did ensure it would go down to the last where Alan Davies 2/2 finally secured the 2 points for the visitors.

Last year’s Division Three champs Argae B were held to a home draw by a resilient Cock B Forden. Rich Davies, Dave Woosnam and Rich Bennet edged the 1st half efforts for Argae, after Dan Thomas and Shane Jackson had twice put the Cock ahead by winning frames one and three. When Shane went to 2/2 at the re-start it was 3-3 and anyone’s game. Rob Huxley and Rich Bennet 2/2 gave the home side two bites at the winning cherry but first Ross Harris and then Jonathon Williams denied them at the last to grab a worthy draw!

Finally, Four Crosses B started with a close home win over the Welly Wizards. James Lewis and Dan Jones (making the switch from the A side) made a solid home start, but Craig Davies, Tony Knight and Steve Binyon weaved the Welly magic to lead 3-2 at the break. The game swung on its head however as Mick Hill, James 2/2 and Alwyn Williams 1/1 made it 5-3 Crosses before Matt Owen took the 9th to set up a tight end game. Dan Jones 2/2 capped off a fine debut for his new side by winning the last.

The Talbot Slayers welcomed the Callow Inn in to the league and came away with a 7-3 result. Tom Horton 1/2 recorded Callow’s first win in the league in frame two as the Slayers experience showed on the way to a 4-1 away lead at half time. Jason Rowson and Alan Evans (both 1/1) brought the game to life at 3-4 but Roger Chapman, Daryl Haynes and Dan Chodecki all 2/2 closed out the match at 7-3; Tom Wilson 1/1 starting proceedings for the Slayers.

The Pinewood were the only other team to record a victory (7-3 also) over the Talbot Flunkies despite trailing 2-0. The away side started brightly as new signing Tom Manuel 7-balled Peter Davies and Ben Aldis then doubled the lead. The Pinewood then came to life with five unanswered frames! Lorna Thomas, Paul Yorkie McGrath, Simon slippery Eeles, Em Jones & Shaun Humphries (bolstering the side (both 1/1)) changing the game completely. Ryan Manuel (also formerly Dragon Buttington) made it 5-3 but Lorna & Yorkie both 2/2 sealed a comprehensive home win.

The Welly Wasps led 4-1 against the Green Dragons who fought back winning the last two frames to draw! Gail Brown, Laura Davies, Barb Jones and Heather Douglass all won to Donna Powell’s 2nd frame reply for the Dragons. Spike Davies (enjoying his birthday) and Donna Powell 2/2 started the come back before Barb Jones 2/2 gave the Ladies a great chance of victory. Liam Haynes and Paul Kelleher gave the Dragons their first points in the league on another great night at the Wellington.

Debutants the Lion Llansantffraid and Mermaid drew 5-5 as Robin Vaughan and Mark Jones ended up 2/2 for the Lion and J Price 2/2 for the Mermaid also. The Horseshoe Inn and Green Dragon Buttington also drew with Rod Edwards 2/2 7-balling Steve Gittins in frame 2, and Bob Gittins 2/2 for the away side.

The Punchbowl B also gain a point on their debut against Lowfield with Steve Byrne and John Harris both 2/2.