Report 13th January 2003

The Chantry Club from Canterbury secured a deserved league title after a convincing 5-1 victory at home to the Lion from Ash.  Mick Nichol (6370) took the first leg for the Chantry, before Tim Hayes rattled off 9840 to level the tie.  John Fullager beat Paul Smart 3500-1540 to regain the lead for the Chantry - this win means Fullager ends the season as the top ranked player, having lost just one game and maintaining a 6970 average.  Kevin Kay played in all three doubles and won them all, the closest being a 3840-2730 win for Kay and Fullager against Neville Potts and Terry Laslett. 
A major upset saw the Greyhound B, strugglers all season, beat the national pub champions Alma A 4-2.  This was the Alma 's first defeat of the season, and a result which ensures the Greyhound's safety from relegation.  Craig Carlson beat John Mitchell 6000-3000 in the first eg, courtesy of a 3950 break.  In the second leg, Ted Batchelor was leading by over one thousand approaching the end when Matt Newman got the break back and played out the table for a 5410-3580 win and 2-0 to the Greyhound.  The third leg opened with a 4440 break for Chris Saville which proved decisive against Derek Latham as the home player was unable
to break back - the leg finished 5270-1240 to Saville.  Derek Latham & Daniel Jackson took the first doubles for the Greyhound to ensure they could not lose the tie, before two high scoring final legs.  In leg five, Chris Saville & Ted Batchelor beat Craig Carlson & Matt Brown 060-2510 - the Alma total of 9060 is the highest doubles score in the league this season.  Daniel Jackson & Matt Newman earned the vital last point for the Greyhound as they beat Ted Batchelor & John Mitchell 8440-2220 - the Greyhound pair's score of 8440 was the third highest doubles total this season.

In a decisive relegation battle the Royal Oak travelled to the Magnet A and won five, leaving the Deal side facing the prospect of the drop.  Mike Callanan (4970) took the first leg, but that proved his team’s only joy as Alan Smith (6810) and Gary Clarke (3900) took the next two singles, followed by wins for the Oak in all three doubles.  All were close, including a 3820-2740 win for Stuart Richardson & Richard Cousens against John Higgins & Lin Callanan.

On a good night for the Greyhound teams, the Greyhound A travelled to the Alma B for a 4-2 win and promotion to division one.  Bill Edwards was in form as he defeated Gareth Butcher 5100-1910, despite losing a break in excess of 2500.  The Greyhound fought back to take the next two singles courtesy of wins for Dave Carliell (3990) and Alan Farra (6000).  An upset was a possibility when Dave Howarth & Bill Edwards beat Dave Carliell & Gareth Butcher 3960-1780 to level the tie, but Christine Farra came to the rescue as she teamed up with firstly Gareth Butcher and then Alan Farra to take the final two legs, for victory and promotion.
The Fitzwalter Arms will have to be content with runners-up after 3-3 draw at home to the Magnet B.  In a seesaw match, Chris Gent (3280) took the first leg for the visitors, before Roger Oldfield levelled matters by defeating Steve Philpott.  The Magnet then regained the lead courtesy of a close 2340-1920 win for Rob Robertson against Steve Lake .  The first doubles leg saw parity restored due to a win for Steve Lake and Roger Oldfield, then once again the Magnet took the lead as Rob Robertson and Tanya Philpott won.  Nigel Scott and Steve Lake ensured the spoils were shared in the final leg.
The Plough & Harrow from Tilmanstone finish third after a 3-3 draw at the Brickmakers B in their final match.  Simon Jones opened the match with a 5680 break en route to victory over Ann Keen, but the Plough fought back with singles wins for Ron Beer and Brian Carpenter.  All the doubles legs were close, Paul Dargan & Simon Hart took the first to level the tie, Ron Beer & Ann Keen restored the lead for the Plough, and finally Simon Jones & Paul Dargan defeated Brian Carpenter & Ron Beer 4390-3560 to force the draw.

In the final fixture, the Butchers Arms enjoyed an excellent 4-2 win against the Brickmakers A. 

Baz Winter took the first singles for the Butchers, followed by victory for Paul Collins which included a 1700 break.  Paul Garlinge narrowly defeated Ruth Collins 1940-1610 to peg a point back for the Brickies.  Baz Winter & Paul Collins teamed up for another point in the first doubles, before Doug Vickers & Ruth Collins scored 3650 to ensure their side gained the overall win.  A close last leg saw Alan Holmwood & Paul Garlinge gain the final leg for the visitors.