We are only at week three of the season, and from the first two games, it is shaping up to be a great season. We have had some dropped points by the big teams, and the new teams are holding their own and giving some good performances. As we head into this round of fixtures, we see another set of good matches.
Clayton Con Club v The Sidings
These two teams have had a decent start with a draw and a loss each; they will now be looking at this game for their first win. Clayton has brought back to the league Steven Scholes, who is a very good player, but captain Martin is taking his usual month’s holiday. The question is, will Clayton be able to perform without Captain Reliable? The Sidings are still bedding in some new players and may look at this as an ideal opportunity to get them settled. The two teams will go all out for a win, but who will get the 3 points?
Last season: Clayton Con Club 3 vs 5 The Sidings
Gorton Con Club ‘B’ vs Prince of Wales ‘B’
Gorton ‘B’ is currently in the top 7 with a game in hand thanks to the postponement last week. They’ll want to win again. They’re on a roll and want to keep it going. The Prince B had a tough game to start the season and gave it their all. They ended up with a decent draw last week. I think both teams have a good chance of winning, at least on paper. I think they’re pretty evenly matched.
Last season: N/A
Prince of Wales v Waggon & Horses
These two teams have had a good start, with Prince sitting at the top of the table with a very good result last week against a formidable team. The Waggon, on the other hand, got a very good 6-2 win against the Holdsworth. What is pleasing to see is that the return to the Waggon of Will Sessnon has, for now at least appeared to give the team a lift. This currently sees the Waggon sit not just in the top 7 but the top 5. As a Prince player, I hope we beat them but as the chairman, I hope that the Waggon continue their good start.
Last season: Prince of Wales 6 vs 2 Waggon & Horses
Strawberry Duck v Gorton Con Club
Well, the Strawberry Duck has had a decent start with two draws and sits just outside the top 7. They will be looking for their first 3 points. They do, however, have an uphill battle to fight, as we all know just how good Gorton can be. After last week’s loss, they will be looking to bounce back ASAP; there can be no doubt how good the Gorton team is. There is also no doubt that in this league, anything can happen. I will be interested to see the response from Gorton and whether the Duck can gain more points.
Last season: N/A
Studio Bar v Steelworks Tavern
The match of the new captains, the Studio at home, is a very tough game to play. The Steelworks are no mugs, though, and in fact, in this match last season, it was the Steelworks that walked away with a 5-3. This was a tough loss for take for the Studio, and I am sure that new captains will both be doing their all to walk away with the 3 points.
Last season: Studio Bar 3 v 5 Steelworks
The Buxton v Strawberry Gardens
The Buxton at home is a very tough game; they have one of the better tables in the league but one of the toughest spaces around the table to play. The Gardens will, however, be full of confidence after having narrowly missed out on 3 points last week against the Studio. They did have three frames to get over the line and didn’t manage it, will this be a factor this week? The Buxton are always a threat, and last season, they surprised many, will they manage to stay in the top half this season and, maybe, even in the hunt for the title?
Last season: The Buxton 5 v 3 Strawberry Gardens
Waggon & Horses B v The Holdsworth
The clash of the new teams that currently sit at the foot of the table, the Waggon B, albeit with a game in hand. The two teams have a mixture of experienced players and those new to the league, so this one is probably among the hardest to predict. This makes this fixture such an interesting one, I know Chris will be desperate to get their first 3 points on the board, and Lewie will be just as desperate to get things going.
Last season: N/A