Report 23rd January 2003
A rearranged match in division one saw a battle for the runners-up spot between the Alma A and the Plough & Harrow from Bridge, played in Deal. Ted Batchelor won a scrappy first leg for the Alma, and Chris Saville beat Keith Symes in a dramatic second leg for the 2-0 lead. Symes had built an early lead was ahead by almost 2000 approaching the bar, but Saville regained the break and played out the table for a 5800-4340 win. John Mitchell won his leg impressively against Paddy Maher for a 5770-2250 win and the 3-0 to the Alma. The Alma had to win the fixture to claim runners-up, but there were signs of Plough resistance in the first doubles leg as Keith Symes & Baz Symes took the honours. The placings were finally decided in a tense and extremely close fifth leg. John Mitchell & Chris Saville were 1600 up with five minutes remaining against Paddy Maher & Baz Symes when Maher got the break back and notched the maximum 2000. Saville was next on the table and found himself 10 behind when the bar dropped, with an awkward looking table. Eventually one ball remained, bang behind the 10 hole which had to hit to ensure the victory - Saville duly bent the ball around the black and hit the white and second place in the table safely secured, final score 4860-4500. The final leg was also won by the Alma by Saville with Ted Batchelor, 6580-3780 against Ian Dennett & Baz Symes for an eventually 5-1 scoreline.