The second week of matches was full of exciting results! There were a few draws, but two teams stood out and won big. These wins show how much each team has improved, so the season will be even more competitive than we thought.

Gorton Con Club 3 vs 5 Prince of Wales
Matches between these two teams are always massive, and this one was no exception. Even though it’s still early in the season, both teams were desperate to win.
Just a few short months ago, Gorton had defeated the Prince in the cup final, which only fueled the Prince’s motivation for this game. The match began on a high note for the Prince, taking a 3-0 lead. However, as we expected, Gorton made a comeback, taking the next three frames to tie the match. Then, Lee Acheson stepped up and capitalised on Stuart’s in-off the break to complete an inch-perfect, sumptuous reverse dish. The final frame was crucial for both teams, and Andy Robinson managed to edge Jay Gallacher to secure all three points for the Prince.
Match card

The Holdsworth 2 vs 6 Waggon & Horses
At least one of these teams would make a change from last week’s points tally, with both teams losing 5-3, and both to Gorton Con Club teams, the B & A respectfully.
The Holdsworth struck first, taking a scrappy first-frame win. Into the second frame and in his fresh return to Waggon after a few years away, Wil Sessnon takes the second, leading a three-frame winning run, with Dave Trotman & Andy Smith taking the first doubles and Dave following his doubles with a singles frame win, but both in frames which could easily have swung in the opposite direction.
At 3-1, the scoreline was far more complimentary than the games themselves, so in an attempt to stop the run in steps, Danny Rowen against last year’s Waggon MVP John Trotman, and in a further each-way frame, Danny took it to reduce the deficit to 3-2, but that was it.
The Waggon took the final three frames, but all again swinging from team to team in who would pot the 8-ball first.
Match card

Prince of Wales ‘B’ 4 vs 4 The Buxton
Prince B had a tough match last week against the Studio, but they were feeling good about how they played, which excited the team for their first home game of the season. The match opened with Prince B taking the win, then The Buxton – one of the surprise success stories of last season – won the next three frames to take a good lead. But Prince B wasn’t done yet, taking one back to reduce the lead to 3-2. The Buxton pushed on, though, winning the next frame to guarantee them a point and two chances to secure the win and take the full three points. Prince B had other ideas, though, taking the final two frames to distribute the points evenly to both teams.
Match card

Steelworks Tavern 6 vs 2 Clayton Con Club
The Steelworks have been historically tough to beat at home, winning seven and drawing four last year, and they’re keeping that streak going this year.
The home team had a great start, winning the first frame and then winning the next six. Clayton finally got their first win of the match in frame seven, and then they won another frame. The good news for Clayton is that Steven Scholes, who’s been out for a couple of years, is back in winning form, and Martin Lees, who’s always reliable, also got a win.
Match card

Strawberry Gardens 4 vs 4 Studio Bar
I didn’t think I was being unreasonable when I said before the match that the Studio would be the favourites. Their team is stacked with experienced and accomplished players. But what I love most about this league is that there’s always a chance for an upset, and they regularly happen. The match started great for the home team. They won the first two frames. The Studio came back with the third frame, but the home team took control and won the next two frames to get a big lead and push for all three points. They had three chances to win the final frame, but the Studio team’s back end wouldn’t give up. They won the last three frames to make a huge comeback. Some Studio players said they were impressed with the Strawberry Gardens team and said they were lucky to get a draw in the end.
Match card

The Sidings 4 vs 4 Strawberry Duck
The Sidings are a seasoned team with a few new players, so it’ll take some time for them to get into the swing of things. The Duck, on the other hand, are brand new to the league. But they’ve already proven they’re up for the challenge with their first two games. The match started great for the away team, with them winning the first frame. The Sidings came back strong with the next one, and then the Duck hit back again. They were leading 2-1 at that point, and that’s when the Sidings stepped up and won three in a row to secure at least a point. The Duck, to their credit, won the next two frames to secure another awesome result.
Match card

Waggon & Horses ‘B’ vs. Gorton Con Club ‘B’
Match Postponed