Kent welcomed a strong Berkshire squad to Chatham Pool and Snooker Club with much up for grabs at this early part of the season.
Over 50s
First up the Over 50s. Captain Wilbo was leading his team into a crunch game in more ways than one. Kent were sitting top of the division with 3/3 wins whilst Berkshire had, somewhat surprisingly, lost 2 of their first 3, so a game that could define both teams’ season. Added to that, could the team spirit of Kent again defeat a Berkshire side littered with superstars Barker, Leary, Yardley et al. Wilbo asked the team to focus set by set, frame by frame…. At 5:5 in the first set, Taylor v Barker… world championship contest! Barbara played a fine clearance to the black but then missed it to give Eddie an opportunity to steal the frame… but amazingly a rare error from him and Barbara has a second shot on the black which she takes, so Kent clinch the set 6:5!
Second set, with the set tight, Bill Rase takes a fine clearance out against Mick Ferguson to lead 12:9, another set we take 6:5. At 14:13 up, Marc Brazier takes out a clean finish to give us a 15:13 lead which extends to 18:15 at the end of the third set… yet another 6:5 win, evidencing the resilience of this team who really fight for each other. In the final set Berkshire started strong to haul themselves into the match before Marc and Richard Smith again give us that 2 frame advantage. Suddenly it’s last frame of the match with Kent being 22:21 up and playing for the win. Taylor v Ferguson. It was an edgy frame as you can see if you look back on the match via YouTube, Chatham Pool and Snooker Club streaming. What you will see however is a lovely last black which delighted the team and all the Kent players watching, for Taylor to earn the win 23:21 for Kent. Well done all.
4/4 for Richard Smith who cued well all day and 4 wins from 4 for Kent Over 50s in their bid to achieve their aim of nationals next year.
Under 23s
The Under 23 team were missing captain Jake Lloyd but they didn’t fare too badly without him. They did however have a slow start, losing the first set 3:2, with James Goldsmith and Callum Britt winning their frames.
If the first set started slowly the second was explosive, with Finley O’Shaughnessy, Goldsmith, Olly Mitchell and Michael Cairns taking the first 4 frames for a 6:3 halfway lead.
The third set went in similar fashion with the Kent team winning 4:1 for a 10:5 lead. A 3:2 final set went the way of Kent who finished off with a 13:7 win and retain top spot in the Under 23 division. Well done to James Goldsmith for scooping 4/4 frames to lead from the front.
Over 60s
Our Over 60s team still retain 2nd spot in the division following a 7:5 defeat that could have ended in an unlikely draw. With the Berkshire team taking the first three sets 2:1 they had a 6:3 lead going into the last set and looking like winners. However, with Andy Redsull and Andy Gee winning the first two frames of the 4th set, it meant a final frame could steal the draw. Sadly for Captain Fowler it wasn’t to be, but still enough evidence to suggest the team can still qualify for the nationals.
Ladies
So the afternoon saw the Ladies take to the match as table toppers. Captain Fane, amongst friends, set the team out to maintain their position at the top of the table. A pretty even first set was taken by Kent Ladies 6:5. However the 2nd set wasn’t in any way close as Kent took the set with a match-taking 10:1 for a 16:6 halfway lead.
Berkshire gathered themselves and fought during the 3rd set, however lost 6:5. Amy Cook sealed the win 23:12 at the beginning of the final set as the Ladies took the match with a final score of 27:17!
England International Erin Gannon took 4/4 frames today with Hollie Potter, Barbara Taylor, Karen Riches and Vanessa all claiming 3/4.
A Team
Huge match to establish whether Kent A could retain an interest in the season with a win against the Berkshire might. This match swung all over the place and could have ended any score. Kent A took an early 5:2 lead only for Berkshire to claim the last 4 frames on the trot to go 6:5 up after the first set.
Another 4 frames at the beginning of the second set soon took the score to 10:5 with things looking ominous. However the rejuvenated Mitchell Standen, captain Jasper and Salsa took the next 3 to stop the rot and create the momentum needed to try and get back into the match.
Metin Tomris, Pat Cunningham and Adam Bassoo added 3 frames at the start of the 3rd set for a 13:12 lead. However Berkshire turned it around again with the next 4 frames to take the lead at 16:13. So what could Kent A do to respond? Well they took the next 5 frames in a row to again take the lead 18:16. Could they finish this Berkshire side off now? Not quite! The next 8 frames were shared and the tension was rising… 21:20 to Kent with 3 frames to go…. Sean Kirby, Josh Patel and Aaron Bhat all stepped up to the plate to take their frames and gave Kent A the win they needed and wanted, to evidence to themselves they can win the big games and the tight games.
A 24:20 win after all that drama, a win that moves Kent A equal second in the table with an opportunity to progress in the next match v Sussex.
No 4/4 today but some good performances at critical times by Mitch Standen, Dave Fernandez, Josh Patel and Sean Kirby.
B Team
Top v second with an opportunity for Kent to extend their lead. A 6:5 lead for Kent after the first set soon looked distant as Berkshire took the second set 7:4 for a 12:10 lead. That quickly turned into a Berkshire 14:10 lead before Kent responded with a 7 frame winning streak. Willie Anderson took the last frame of the 3rd set to give the B Team an 18:15 frame lead. Job done right? Well when Kent won 3/4 of the next frames the score went to 21:16! However, Berkshire did to Kent what Kent had earlier besieged upon them, by taking all final 7 frames to steal a 23:21 win from 21:16 down.
A disappointing end to what was potentially a good performance all round. However, to be upbeat, probably a reminder to all team members that reputations alone don’t win matches. They have to be won on the table. We go again!
C Team
Kent C started and finished the day top of the table. Berkshire are historically the hardest games of the season but on this occasion they were brushed aside with a very convincing 32:12 win.
The first set saw a comfortable 7:4 Kent lead, with the highlights being a good diagonal double by Chris Freelove and a crisp clearance by Darren Hill.
The second set saw more of the same with the lead at halfway now stretched to 16:6.
Andre Cox somehow forced a rerack from a bad position in the third set and then won the rerack in style. Good finishes from Bill Rase and Barry Johnson closed the set out 23:10.
The final set saw Kent continue their dominance, taking it 9:2, meaning a convincing 32:12 victory. Even more impressive was that 3 of the Berkshire frames were break dishes, meaning only 9 frames out of the 44 were actually lost on the table.
Top scorers were: Chris Freelove 4/4 Andre Cox 4/4 Olly Mitchell 4/4
Player of the Match: Andre Cox
Conclusion
So a successful day for Kent with all teams remaining in the top 2 across all divisions. Clear progress from the A Team, a slip up from the B Team. Convincing wins from the Ladies, C Team and Under 23s. No match for the Under 18s as sickness in the Berkshire team at the last minute.
However, with no bias whatsoever 🙂, team of the day goes to Kent Over 50s for their win against a Berkshire stronghold and retaining their unbeaten start to the season with 4/4.
Finally, it’s never done till it’s done as we saw today across a few teams. Our Kent A Team won and lost frames in batches and our B Team won 7 in a row then lost 7 in a row. Our Ladies won 11 in a row. Our C Team also won 7 in a row at a point in the match.
Momentum is key in terms of maintaining it when you have it, but stopping it when the other team are riding the crest of the wave! My advice to all captains and players is to recognise it early and finish it if it’s going against you.
County pool is on the up and Kent continues to lead the way in terms of their progress, consistency and reputation for being strong across the divisions.
Until next time in Sussex on 14th June, stay safe.
Wilbo
Final Scores
| Under 23s | 13:7 WIN |
| Over 50s | 23:21 WIN |
| Under 18s | no match |
| Ladies | 27-17 WIN |
| A | 24:20 WIN |
| B | 21:23 LOSS |
| C | 32:12 WIN |
| Over 60s | 5:7 LOSS |