MATCH REPORTS...

The former Waterloo and JFK’s Singles Leagues have now been brought together under the GLCPA banner. There will be at least 3 Singles Leagues taking place this year at JFK’s:-

Premier Division - open to County A, B, and Junior Internationals. Feb – April

Division One - open to County B, Junior Internationals, County C, County Juniors, Interleague. May - July

Division Two -open to County C, County Juniors, Interleague, local league. Sept - Nov

Additionally we plan to run a further Singles Leagues for Ladies and Juniors, subject to interest. All players must play County or play in a GLCPA affiliated league . . .

London A team got off to a very satisfactory start to the season, with a 29-15 home win over Berkshire.

The visitors came with perhaps not the strongest side we've ever seen from them, but also far from the weakest. Any team with the quality of Brad Robinson, Rob Uzzell, and the Sabharwal brothers is going to be dangerous if you give them the chance.

London got off to a flying start though, taking a deserved 6-0 lead which turned into 8-3 at the end of the first set.

Berkshire rallied well, taking the second set 6-5 thanks to their own good play as well as a few slips on our part. This was now a situation where last year I felt we all might have let our heads drop, so it was very encouraging to see the spirit of the team as we in turn rallied, to register more 8-3 wins in the 3rd and 4th sets. It's very difficult to do better than that at this level.

London B 26-18 Berkshire B

We started of the match very rocky but credit where credit is due, Berkshire fielded the strongest squad they have had for years and they started more confidently and with us struggling to get going we only won the first 2 sets 6-5. Then came Joe Cunningham after already taking out a superb finish to win his first ever frame for the B team, continued his form and started the team off on and 11 frame winning streak, which from a captain's point of view was great to see, but then from 22-10 up, our form dipped again, possibly down to the fact that in the back of our minds it was only a matter of time before we got one more frame to get our campaign off to a win. But it would of been great to really punish them and reach 28, 29 or even 30.

London 21-23 Berkshire

Not the start to the season we were hoping for! But on a positive note the reserves (Stacey Gough and Jelena Krasnikova) played exceptionally well to win 1/1 and 2/2 respectively. Player of the Match was Lindie Snyman with 3 out of 4 frames.

As for the match itself we narrowly lost the opening two sets 5/6. We went on a bit of a winning streak in the 3rd winning it 7/4 but couldn't keep that form going and lost the last 4/7 to lose the match.

Congratulations go to Sarah Long for picking up Player of the Year for 2008. We need to find that competitive edge for 2009 if we want to see some more silverware come our way.

45 players competed for the JFK’s Players Championship title this year. With a range of players from the youngsters just breaking into the game to some highly experienced professionals, there were some shocks in store as the day unfolded. JJ Faul was not here to defend his title, so a new name would be on the trophy this year.

Following the sad news of Brian passing away over Christmas, the Region Committee felt it right we all honour Brian's hard work for the Region/London/Pool over the years.

For those that didn't know Brian, he was a long standing member of the London County scene, and served the Region on the committee over numerous years. One of his notable achievements was setting up the formula for the current inter county fixtures, without the use of software etc, purely on paper, covering a ten year cycle, and worked tirelessly for the good of the game generally.

At the Region committee meeting held on 17/01/09 the following was agreed:

At all county matches on 1st Feb, 1 minutes silence will be observed by all teams as a mark of respect for Brian.

We trust this will be honoured by all, as we all owe a debt of thanks to Brian, and in Region 7 we are a big community who have pride and respect for our fellow players.

It is with great regret that I have to report that Brian passed away on Christmas Day at his mother's house on the Isle of Wight.

Brian was Greater London County secretary for many years and was made Life President when he stepped down. He was a true gentleman of the game and was still playing for the squad in the season just gone.

His committed and effective contribution to London Pool will be remembered by those that saw him at work and leaves a lasting legacy for the future of the game in the capital.

Our heartfelt condolences go to his family.

The 5th Annual JFK's Players Championship will take place on Sunday 25th January starting at 11am.

The format, as usual, is straight knockout with early round being best of 11 frames. The final will be best of 13 frames.

There will also be a separate Plate Competition which is best of 7 frames.

Former winners of this event include Morray Dolan, Darren Magor and last year's winner JJ Faul.

Entry to the JFK's Players Championship is £15 with the club adding a further £50 to the prize fund. If you are interested in entering contact John Kelly at the club.

After Joe Prince's fine effort in this event 12 months ago, it was Frank's turn to shine this year. Frank beat Paul Stelmaszuk in the 1st round, then outfought London Juniors teammate Mario Vogli in the 2nd round and Waterloo (and Jack's) teammate Ian Crowle in the 3rd round, winning both matches 6 v 5.

Frank then took on John Roe, winner of the Riverside Herts Pool Tour Grand Final last month, and came through 7 v 4 to set up a semi final clash with Neil Toms. This one went to the wire , but when Neil missed a black to the centre in the decider, Frank held his nerve to clear for a 7 v 6 win.

The Final looked like being a one-sided affair as ex-pro Rivers, who was in unstoppable form, raced into a 5 v 0 lead, before Frank battled back with a couple of fine finishes, eventually going down 8 v 3. This was a great effort nonetheless and rounded off a fantastic year for Frank.

We wish him all the best at the England Junior Team trials early in 2009.

The annual Boxing Day competition will be held at JFK's on Friday starting at 2pm.

It's an Open Event and early rounds are best of 11 frames.

£15 entry.

Frank rounded off a great year by winning the Region Juniors on Saturday in Chichester.

After excellent efforts at the World Junior Championships (runner up), the National U 16's and National Youth Grand Prix U 16's (semi's), it was great to see Frank win this event, especially having lost narrowly in the Grand Final of the Region 7 Club Tour and the London Open Juniors recently.

After cruising through the early rounds Frank had to dig deep to beat Jack Davies (Berkshire) 5 v 4 in the semis, and James Charlwood (Surrey) 6 v 5 in the final.

Well done Frank!