Report 22nd December 2002

The Chantry are within touching distance of the title after a convincing 5-1 win at the Royal Oak.  Mick Nichol took the first singles, Roger Standen beat Gary Clarke 5080-3300, and John Fullager defeated Alan Smith for the 3-0 lead.  A close first doubles saw Mick Nichol and Roger Standen beat Richard Cousens and Gary Clarke 4020-3300, before John Fullager and Mick Nichol made it 5-0.  A consolation point for the Royal Oak in the final leg as Alan Smith and Richard Cousens could be vital in their fight against relegation.

An excellent match at Ash saw a 4-2 win for the Lion against the Greyhound B.  Paul Smart beat Derek Latham 7530-1040 in the first leg, after opening with a 3000 break to give the lead to the Lion, before Craig Carlson pulled the match level with a 4540-2380 win against Neville Potts.  The third leg went to the Lion after an superb match between Tim Hayes and Daniel Jackson.  Hayes beat Jackson 4780-4540 having taken the early lead, which was whittled away by his opponent.  At the end, Jackson required the 200 to win but just missed, leaving Hayes to duly pot the 100 for the win.  A good win in the first doubles extended the Lion's lead, Terry Laslett and Paul Smart beating Craig Carlson and Daniel Jackson 7530-1520, and another excellent leg saw the victory assured for the Lion.  In that game, all four players opened on maximum 2000 breaks, before Tim Hayes and Wack Sampson eventually beat Daniel Jackson and Derek Latham 5930-4470.  The Greyhound gained a much needed point in their relegation battle in the final leg as Derek Latham and Craig Carlson defeated Nev Potts and Terry Laslett 6550-3320.

In division two, the Greyhound A had their promotion push checked as they were held at home to the Brickmakers B 3-3.  Things started well for the home side as Gareth Butcher beat Simon Hart 4400-2430, but a clash between two of the division's top players saw a 4710-2950 win for Simon Jones against Alan Farra.  A close third leg saw the Brickies take the lead, as Dave Carter beat Christine Farra 2580-1530.  Carter scored 1010 at the end to snatch victory.  In the first doubles, Simon Jones and Paul Dargan extended their side's lead to 3-1 as they beat Dave Carliell and Christine Farra 2960-1530.  The Greyhound rallied in the
next two legs to gain the draw, as first Alan Farra and Dave Carliell beat the two Simons 6600-2110, and then Gareth Butcher and Alan Farra defeated Paul Dargan and Dave Carter 3730-2320.

The Magnet B enjoyed a 4-2 win at home to the improving Butchers Arms team.  Steve Philpott, Chris Gent and Rob Robertson all took the singles legs for a 3-0 lead to the Magnet, before Steve and Tanya Philpott took the first doubles leg.  The Butchers however fought back, wins being registered for Ruth Collins and Doug Vickers, and then Paul Collins and Phil Court.

The first of the knockout semi-finalists are known - Craig Carlson is through to the Division One singles semi after beating team-mate Daniel Jackson, and Kent Over 50's champion Dave Carliell has beaten Mark Graves from the Fitzwalter Arms in the Division Two singles.