Foreword

The Winter League has begun in earnest, with two newly promoted teams in division 1, and two new teams joining the league in division 2. Defending champions Chantry Club from Canterbury suffered a defeat on the opening day, 4-2 at the Lion in Ash.  Neville Potts beat John Fullager 6010-3790, and Mick Nichol notched 7480 to pull the Chantry level.  Tim Hayes hit an 11530 break in the final singles to put the Lion back in front.  The first two doubles rolled the Lion's way to secure victory, with Terry Laslett playing and winning both, and the final frame was won 3700-3140 by Roger Standen & Kevin Kay against Hayes & Potts.
Newly promoted Fitzwalter Arms A got off to a winning start as they defeated the Market Inn B 4-2.  Derek Latham beat Mark Graves 3540-2970 to put the Market B in front, but Roger Oldfield (3790) and Steve Lake (3460) took the next two legs for the Fitz.  All the doubles were close, as Lake & Oldfield beat Craig Carlson & Ted Hogben 2320-2190 for 3-1, Latham & Hogben edged Oldfield & Graves 3040-2610 for 3-2, and finally Graves & Lake defeated Hogben & John Skinner 2450-1630 for the 4-2 victory.
The other side just up from the second division, the Market Inn A , were also celebrating after a 4-2 win at home to the Magnet A.  Alan Farra beat Mike Callanan 4830-2750 courtesy of a 3500 break, but Ward Griffiths narrowly won his game for the Magnet.  Gareth Butcher (4840) restored the Market A lead.  John Higgens & Lin Callanan just beat Farra & Butcher 2830-2450 to achieve parity once more, but from there the Market Inn A took the final two doubles for the match victory, as Dave Carliell & Alan Farra (3980) and Butcher & Christine Farra (3760) took their frames.
The final division one match saw a 3-3 draw in Nonnington between the Royal Oak and the Plough & Harrow/Bridge.  Keith Symes (3750) and Paddy Maher (3260) took the early singles for the Plough, before Gary Clarke (4940) pulled a point back for the Oak.  Richard Cousens combined with first Stuart Richardson and then Gary Clarke in the first two doubles for two wins and a 3-2 lead to the Oak, but a nervous final frame was taken 2640-1580 by Baz Symes & Keith Symes against Clarke & Alan Smith to force the draw.

The Plough & Harrow Tilmanstone are making the early running in division two after a 5-1 win at league newbies the Greyhound in Sandwich.  Karen Keen (1560) and Ann Keen (2280) gave the Plough early advantage, before Daniel Jackson just bested Brian Carpenter 2920-2890 to give the Greyhound hope.  After the first two doubles tumbled to the Plough hope was extinguished for the home side, but the final frame was won by the margin of just 380 points as Karen Keen & Brian Carpenter defeated Sam Fuller & Jim Jackson.

The Alma from Deal travelled to Ashley and enjoyed a 4-2 win at the Butchers Arms.  John Mitchell (5710) took the first leg for the Alma , before Ruth Collins edged the second frame 1720-1640 against Rick Cowdrey to level matters.  Bill Edwards (4740) restored the Alma lead in the final singles.  After Doug Vickers & Ruth Collins took the first frame, the Mitchell & Howarth scored 5720 to again put the Alma on top.  A tense final frame was eventually taken 1800-1620 by Harry Pearson & Rick Cowdrey for the Alma and match victory.

The Magnet B enjoyed a 5-1 win against the Brickmakers A in an all-Deal affair.  Rob Robertson (3370), Tanya Philpott and Steve Philpott all won their singles to race the Magnet ahead, and a close first doubles was won 1750-1550 by Tanya & Steve Philpott against Paul & Ann Garlinge.  After the Magnet took the penultimate frame too, the Brickies picked up a consolation point in the final leg, courtesy of a win for Ann Garlinge & Craig Lancaster.

The other new team in the league, the Fitzwalter Arms B, travelled to the Brickmakers B where the Brickies emerged 4-2 victors.  A last-ball first singles was won 2390-2250 by Nigel Scott against Simon Hart to put the Fitz one-up.  Simon Jones (1890) levelled the tie, but Lee Byford (1460) restored the Fitz lead in an excellent start for the novices.  Things fell apart in the doubles for the Fitz, though, as Hart & Paul Dargan, Dargan & Jones and finally Jones & Ben Williams all took the doubles for the Brickies for the 4-2 win.